Snakes are fascinating creatures that can 'smell' with their tongues, 'hear' through their jaws and swallow their prey whole. Of the 4000+ snake species in the world, only around 600 are venomous and roughly 200 are toxic enough to hurt humans. But are any of those venomous species found in the UK?
How many snakes are there in the world?
Over 4,000 species of snake have been categorised around the world. They have evolved to live in all sorts of habitats, from the land to the sea, and can be found in every continent on Earth, apart from Antarctica.
These largely solitary animals are cold-blooded, meaning they must regulate their body temperature externally and get their warmth from their surrounding environment. This is why snakes struggle to survive in cold climes, and hibernate during winter.
What's the most common snake in the world?
There are no reliable figures indicating the most common snake in the world, but it's widely believed to be the common gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis). They are non-venomous and indigenous to North America, where they're also known to be kept as pets.
What's the most common snake in the UK?
There are four species of snake living in the wild in Britain. Three are native and one is a non-native, introduced species.
The most common snake in the UK is the common European adder (Vipera berus), also known as the common European viper. It is Britain’s only venomous snake, but it is not an aggressive snake and will only bite if disturbed.
The common European adder is the smallest snake species found in the UK, growing to an average length of only 60cm.
Aside from the adder, you'll find barred grass snakes (Natrix helvetica), smooth snakes (Coronella austriaca) and Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) living in Britain. These are non-venomous.
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Main image: common European adder. Credit: Getty
