Overview
- Dr James Greenwood warned on Instagram that as snakes reappear in early spring, encounters on dog walks can rapidly become emergencies.
- Adders, the UK’s only venomous native snake, are most active from spring into summer and can remain so until October.
- Typical habitats include woodlands, grasslands, moorlands and coastal dunes, and adders can be recognised by a bold zigzag along the back with a V or X mark on the head.
- If a dog is bitten, owners should call a vet at once, restrict movement, avoid touching the wound, and photograph the snake only if it is safe.
- Common signs include swelling at the bite site, pain, bleeding, bruising, lameness and anxious behavior, with experts stressing that bites are uncommon but require swift care.