During a survey by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Amphibian and Reptile group, photographer Paul Baker, was able to snap three large adders near Ringwood in the New Forest.
Even more impressive is that one of the adders captured by Paul’s camera was a melanistic adder.
A melanistic adder (Image: Paul Baker)
A melanistic adder has an unusually high amount of dark pigment, making it appear almost entirely black. Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake.
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Paul said: “All the snakes were within feet of each other so it may indicate a nearby hibernaculum. Before today there have only been four Adder records over numerous surveys.
“The male melanistic individual was basking about five feet from the normal coloured male.”
The adder is the only native venomous snake in the UK and is found across parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, typically in heathlands, moorlands, woodlands, and coastal areas.