A teenager has described her shock at seeing a venomous snake slithering into her family's home. Daisy Hendy was enjoying the sunshine in her garden in Cornwall when she noticed something quickly moving into the house.
The 16-year-old business student initially though it was a slow worm, CornwallLive reports. Closer inspection, however, revealed it was a 1.5ft adder - the only venomous snake native to the British isles. Daisy was stunned at first. However, she managed to regain her composure and eventually managed to capture the serpent.
"I was at home on my own in the garden and I left the patio doors open. When I walked back into the house I saw something on the floor moving very fast. At first I thought it was a slow worm but this was much bigger. I realised it was an adder and that was quite scary."
Daisy added: "I don't know how I did it but I grabbed a plastic container and managed to capture the snake." The teenager said that after the encounter she searched online to confirm what snake had ventured into her house. The markings, colour and size of the snake, including the v-shaped markings on its head, confirmed it was probably a female adder. Daisy said the adder in her home was about a foot and a half in length (about 45cm).
According to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, adders are the only venomous snake native to the British isles and can measure up to 80cm long (two and half feet). Adders, which can live to 15 years, are relatively small, stocky snakes that prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats.
They tend to hunt lizards and small mammals as well as ground-nesting birds such as skylark and meadow pipit. In spring, male adders perform a 'dance' during which they duel to fend off competition to attract a mate. Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a log, footpath or under a warm rock.
Adders are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means that it is an offence to kill, harm, injure, sell or trade them.
Daisy added: "My dad later came home and took the snake in the box and released it back in nature at the edge of a field. There's no way we would have killed it. It was an amazing creature. But we'd rather not have it the house."
Here's what you need to do if you get bitten by an adder:
call 999 immediately or go to A&E if possible
stay calm – most snake bites in the UK are not serious and can be treated
keep the part of your body that was bitten as still as you can
lie in the recovery position if you can
take paracetamol for any pain
try to remember the colour and pattern of the snake to tell the doctor
take off any jewellery and loosen clothes near the bite, in case the skin swells
While rare, adder bites can be dangerous to small dogs too. Snakes generally only bite in self-defence, so normally bites occur when a snake is stepped on or disturbed by your dog. Puppies and young dogs can be especially curious and can unintentionally provoke an adder into biting. If that happens ring your vet urgently.
