Adders in North Rhine-Westphalia: Endangerment, extinction and first aid for bites!

Adders in North Rhine-Westphalia: Endangerment, extinction and first aid for bites!

In North Rhine-Westphalia, more precisely in the beautiful natural areas, the adder (Vipera berus), the only poisonous snake that occurs in this country, is hiding. However, this impressive snake is not just part of our native fauna; It is also on the “Red List” and is considered to be in danger of extinction, as Ruhr24 reports. The last retreat areas of the adders can be found in the Kirchheller Heide near Bottrop and in the Schwalm-Nette area on the Lower Rhine. The probability of encountering an adder in the currently more populated areas is extremely low.

But what are the characteristics of this elegant snake? The adder has a striking, dark zigzag pattern on its back, vertically slit pupils and a characteristic X or V-shaped marking on the back of its head. Their bodies usually reach a length of 50 to 70 centimeters and show color variations from gray to brown to rare black specimens, the so-called “hell vipers”. Despite their danger, a bite is usually not life-threatening, but can cause severe pain and symptoms such as swelling and nausea. In the event of a bite, you should definitely consult a doctor immediately, even if the symptoms seem harmless.

Habitat in decline

Adder habitats are shrinking, not least due to intensive land use and climate change. Due to the overuse of natural areas, there are fewer and fewer undisturbed places where these shy reptiles can sunbathe or hide, as NABU informs. On average, adders are often active from hibernation between the end of February and the end of March, which is also the time when the males compete for mating.

The mating season takes place between April and May, during which there are exciting wrestling matches between the males. What is surprising is that the adders incubate their eggs in their bodies and thus give birth to the young animals alive between August and October. The animals are primarily at home in heath areas, moor edges and clearings, but the changes in their habitats make life difficult for them.

Behavior and precautions

Despite their venomous nature, adders are rather shy and prefer to avoid people. But if they feel threatened, they can bite. Therefore, respect is required, especially when staying in their habitats. In tropical countries, vacationers are often confronted with great dangers from poisonous animals, as Heilpraxisnet highlights. Cobras and kraits are among the most dangerous representatives here. The adder, on the other hand, causes far less damage in Germany, but you should still be careful when discovering these creatures and follow simple rules of conduct.

• Keine Nahrung oder Kleidung auf den Boden legen.
• Zelte beim Verlassen verschließen.
• Kleidung und Schuhe vor dem Anziehen ausschütteln.

Although Germany is not home to any deadly poisonous animals, the adder is an important part of our biodiversity. Their preservation is not only necessary for the ecosystem, but also for future generations.