How dangerous is the Adder?

Unless you are a young child, you need have no real fears about the effects of an adder bite. Adders are vipers and so have efficient venom, but it is only really effective on small prey – lizards, mice and shrews. Adders rarely bite humans unless they are frightened by being trodden on or deliberately provoked. Many people try to kill them on sight but this is hardly necessary for they are actually quite useful in killing rodents. If someone is unlucky enough to be bitten, he may feel ill for a day or two but the chances are he will recover.