Common adder France

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		Vipère péliade ~~ Vipera berus ~~ Common adder

		The common adder is only to be found in the north of France, the east of France and the Massif. It grows to a maximum of 90cm. It has a slightly flattened head and is round nosed, eyes with red iris and vertically slit oval pupils. Colouration varies regionally and also between the sexes, males are more varied in colour than females. Their backs can be almost any colour from pale grey to a dark olive green with darker bands which give a zig zag pattern, underneath they are a greyish blue with intense dark marks. They can also be entirely black; these are normally to be found in high regions above the tree line.


		Photo: Common adder, France

		The common adder lives in a variety of habitats, predominantly where water is present or in damper regions; can also be found in salt marshland. Prey is sought at dawn and dusk as a general rule, it consists of small mammals, birds, amphibians and lizards. Unlike other vipers it is a good swimmer and often takes to the water. Hibernation takes place from October until March / April.


		Photo. Adder curled up.

		Population: in decline VENOMOUS ~~~~~~~~~~~~
		(1) Animals that retain the eggs within the body of the female in a brood chamber in which the development of the embryo takes place, perhaps deriving some nourishment from the female, but without the strong umbilical attachment to a placenta as in mammals; the typical condition of so-called "live-bearing" fishes. Also called aplacental viviparous. The young hatch inside the mother's uterus from their thin egg capsule, and are usually born shortly afterwards.