Monday 7th April
After all the snow yesterday I was amazed to find Saturday's female Adder again at Holly Hill at 6.30pm in a quick post work visit. With some snow still around and the temperature only 7 degrees this was a really notable record......and I managed a few pictures (at last) Not New Hythe I know but only a mile or two away!!
Female Adder - fairly docile as it was cold. quite pleased with the second one with her tongue out
** I have since been informed by a contact at Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group (KRAG) that this is infact a male. Below is a copy and paste from an email from Rick Hodges:
'The adder you show is a male you can tell that by the very dark edging to the rostral scale (the one on the tip of its upper lip). Hopefully the next issue of our newsletter will have an article on using this feature to sex adders. This adder also appears to be about to shed, quite of few males on the downs where I monitor are in the same condition. After shedding they will take on the much lighter colouration typical of males in the breeding season.' Thanks Rick!!
posted by Steve @ 7:29 pm
6 comments
6 Comments:
Hi Steve, thanks for the comment on my tufty.
Stunning shots of the adder, your very lucky to be able to see these, the second shot is the classic pose and looks great, how long is she? its hard to get a grip of the size.
I will add you as a link on my blog as your posts are very interesting and photos stunning.
Mike.
Hi Steve,
Nice Adder shots! Eyes are 'milky' so she's about to shed her skin. Haven't made it up Holly Hill in ages. Managed to just miss you again on saturday as I was round the lakes from 8-10am. Nice to hear lots of WW in the west scrub. Probably see you weekend after next!
Greg
Great Adder photos Steve. Welldone.
It is as you say steve, a remarkable record for an adder, given the temperature, keep the reptile shots coming!! (thanks for the comments on my blog)
Hi all. I have now been reliably informed that this is a male Adder. I ID'd it as a female based on it's brownish colouration but thanks to a contact at Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group have been told that it is a male:
'The adder you show is a male you can tell that by the very dark edging to the rostral scale (the one on the tip of its upper lip). Hopefully the next issue of our newsletter will have an article on using this feature to sex adders. This adder also appears to be about to shed, quite of few males on the downs where I monitor are in the same condition. After shedding they will take on the much lighter colouration typical of males in the breeding season'
Nice pics Steve
Keep up the good work!
Steve Cheshire
www.britishbutterflies.co.uk
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