Adders have been seen close to Seascale Railway Station in Cumbria.
Train operator Northern is asking passengers to be considerate to the reptiles which have been seen close to the station over the last few weeks.
Adders are 1 of 3 species of snakes in the UK and can grow up to 80cm long. The railway and its embankments and cuttings make a great habitat for animals.
The snakes have a zig-zag pattern on their back and can cause a nasty inflammation if someone is bitten, and they should seek immediate medical attention.
However the snakes prefer to hide away from humans and if you do see one out and about, let them carry on their way, rather than approaching it.
Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The railway – together with embankments and the surrounding area – provides some fantastic habitat for the natural world. It's great to see such wonderful wildlife near to our station, but we need our customers to respect these relatively secretive snakes.”
Chris added: “The snakes are a protected species and, though they are fascinating, should be left alone if they do happen to slither onto the station. Don't approach them or try to pick them up – they may view this as being threatened – instead, give them space and allow them to move on their way.”
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Seascale station is just outside the Sellafield site.
I once photographed five adders coiled up together on my local station. They’re beautiful creatures and were relocated to a nearby heath.
I worked at Sellafield in the seventies. Adders were occasionally found within the site. They were carefully caught and released where they were unlikely to be accidentally stepped on. They move very slowly. Their defence strategy is to hide, rather than to strike or flee.
oh bloody hell.