BRITISH REPTILES 



commons, woods, hillsides, grassy and sandy banks, 

 heaths, rides, quarries, etc. A chalky soil appears to be 

 a favourite retreat, yet, curiously enough, we have 

 rarely met with this species on our own Chalky Chilterns 

 in Northern Hertfordshire. The average number of 

 young is given as 13, though less and much larger figures 

 have been stated, I knew of a dam Adder in Sussex 

 which was accompanied by a family party of 16. The 

 young are born in late Summer or early Autumn, this 

 being a viviparous species. The usual dietary consists 

 of ant-pupas (often erroneously referred to as ant-eggs), 

 birds and their eggs, insects, lizards, mice, moles, and 

 slow worms. Newts, young rats, and even water-voles, 

 have also been known to be taken. Adders vary a great 

 deal in colour, and my old friend Professor Gerald R. 

 Leighton has no hesitation in stating that they vary from 

 black to white ! He gives as a general description of 

 the body-colours those of deep and pale blue, mottled- 

 grey, orange, and yellow. The black, brown, or warmer 

 colour marking on the head, and along the back, is not 

 subject to such variation as the body-colourings. By 

 these dark markings the Adder may at once be distin- 

 guished from other Snakes on the British list, and 

 especially by the curious V-shape mark on the crown of 

 the head. The average length of an adult is 20 to 25 

 inches. Female preponderate (it is said in the proportions 

 of as many as three or four to one), but Viper a berus is 

 for the most part a shy, if not nervous creature, and will 



do all that is possible to glide out of harm's way if danger 

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