An East Lothian cyclist has spoken of the moment spotted an adder out on a ride in the Lammermuir Hills by Dunbar.
David Lunman, says that he has been cycling in the area for twenty years and had only heard stories of the snakes but had never actually seen one himself.
Adders are the only venomous snakes in Scotland and although their bite is not deadly to humans - however it can still be extremely painful.
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David spotted the reptile on Sunday (June 4) whilst out enjoying the sunshine and he described the snake as ‘sunbathing’ on the tarmac before it slithered into the long grass.
He added that he saw several lizards also scurrying about the hills but that unfortunately he was unable to grab a picture of them.
“I am part of a cycle group from Dunbar and this is the first time I've come across an adder after years of going up into the Lammermuir. Others have seen them but not me, until Sunday,” he said.
“It was just sunbathing in the middle of the tarmac road and dashed for the verge as we passed.
“There were lizards as well but too quick to photograph. They have always been added around here, they are just very difficult to find.”
Adders can be identified by the distinctive zig-zag patterns on their backs however they blend very easily into the surroundings in their natural habitat so can often be hard to spot.
They can grow to more than two feet long and although their nasty bite is not deadly to humans, they have been known to kill off some small pets in the region.
“The adder is the UK’s only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans,” an East Lothian ranger service said.
“The bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation but they are very timid snakes and bite only in self-defence during attempted capture, handling or if accidentally stepped on.
“Adders can be found in the Lammermuir Hills and can often be found basking in a sunny spot.”
Despite being a protected species, adder populations across the UK have gone into swift decline according to research in 2019.
Findings published in the Herpetological Journal stated a combination of habitat mismanagement and bad publicity for the snakes was threatening their existence.
Research stated that the species could be “all but extinct” by 2032 if current trends continue.
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