Not Rowan Atkinson this time but one of the melanistic adders that are sometimes found living amongst our own 'normal' populations of adder.  This one was spotted by KRAG member Kevin Johnson who had these observations to make. 

The weather was warming up and with a sunny day forecast I thought it was worth a look around Bredhurst for emerging reptiles. I managed to locate 5 adders that were basking between midday and early afternoon.

The first individual found was a black adder, presumably male, that was somewhat muddy around the head and obviously recently emerged. I have seen this adder 3 years running now but it moves off by the end of March and cannot be located again by me until the following Spring.

Another individual found about half a mile away was more pristine in appearance, probably because its chosen hibernation spot was a drier chalky bank.