The first documented record of the Critically Endangered adder Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes, Viperidae) from the German North Frisian Islands (North Sea) and the northernmost record in Germany

By

Ahnelt, Harald

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-3-14

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

21

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

293--298

Subjects

Europe , human‑mediated introduction , island colonization , Sylt , Viperinae

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/21.2.293

 

Abstract

The German North Frisian Islands are naturally void of snakes. Although there were rumors decades ago that the adder Vipera berus (Linnaeus, 1758) occurs on these islands, there was no evidence of its presence on any of the islands. In this study the first verified record of V. berus on Sylt, the largest of these islands, is documented. This is also the northernmost record of V. berus for Germany.