Wild Swimmers Discover Britains Most Venomous Snake - Basking on the banks of the River Dart, Wellsfoot Island, Near Holne, Dartmoor, Devon U.K

BGUK_2418562 - Wild Swimmers discover Britains most venomous snake basking on the banks of the River Dart, Wellsfoot Island, Near Holne, Dartmoor, Devon U.K. James Rowe (18) and Imogen Fearne (18) from the Exeter Area of Devon, were out for a wildswim and camping adventure on The River Dart, when Imogen suddenly noticed Britains only venomous snake basking on the rocks close by. On seeing it she was heard to say "Is that a snake?... It's incredible, I can't belive that i nearly touched it" Imogen (18) from near Exeter was curious as to its swimming capabilities. (They can swim!) ***With the Heat wave forecast to last for the next couple of weeks, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people wild swimming etc. **Nobody approached for official comment ** **According to The Wildlife Trust's website, "The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, but its poison is generally of little danger to humans: an adder bite can be painful and cause a inflammation, but is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately, however. Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth rather than confront and bite humans and domestic animals; most attacks happen when they are trodden on or picked up. Instead, they use their venom to immobilise and kill their prey of small mammals, nestlings and lizards."