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Living World: Adders of Loch Lomond

Adders of Loch Lomond

04/05/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Living World, Adders of Loch Lomond

Trai Anfield encounters adders basking on the edges of Loch Lomond.

Chris McInerny takes Trai Anfield adder spotting on the eastern edges of Loch Lomond, just as males are gearing up for the breeding season.

On the eastern edge of Loch Lomond adders are preparing for another summer. Spring-time sun has coaxed them from their winter hibernacula and as the weather warms males have begun to look for potential mates. The adder is one of the most studied and yet misunderstood British animals. With distinct markings and predictable habits individual adders can be tracked for years by the people who know how, exposing their mysterious behaviours. Yet adders are still despised by some, unaware that their docile and cautious nature makes the risk of their painful, but very rarely dangerous, bite very small. Trai Anfield joins Chris McInerny on a showery, but warm early April morning to seek out these beautiful and captivating reptiles.
Produced by Ellie Sans.

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