Rationally I know I should not be afraid of *all* snakes, but in all honesty, even reading this post and seeing the photos caused me anxiety. I believe I read a study once showing that even very young infants react to images of snakes -- suggesting an aversion to snakes is to some degree "hard-wired" in our brains.
The UK's only scorpion colony resides in the walls of Sheerness Dockyard on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent BBC. This colony of yellow-tailed scorpions is believed to have arrived in the 18th century on ships carrying Italian masonry. While other scorpion sightings have occurred in the UK, this is the only place they've successfully established a long-term breeding colony, as to snakes we have two speices that are indigenous. The grass snake ( non-poisonious) and the Adder which is poisonious. However they are quick to vanish when they can sense us humans coming. Adders are most commonly found in Hundred Acre wood (Ashdown Forest) and the Lake District.
Reminds me of the last hike I helped lead. Timber Rattlers were active in the area so I had to prelude the hike with the safety talk about poisonous snakes — we have the aforementioned rattlesnakes and copperheads here. Always a good idea to watch your step and never put your foot over a rock or log where you can’t see.
Rationally I know I should not be afraid of *all* snakes, but in all honesty, even reading this post and seeing the photos caused me anxiety. I believe I read a study once showing that even very young infants react to images of snakes -- suggesting an aversion to snakes is to some degree "hard-wired" in our brains.
Fair enough. I still jump whenever I hear rustling in the bushes ahead, even though it's usually just a harmless lizard.
The UK's only scorpion colony resides in the walls of Sheerness Dockyard on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent BBC. This colony of yellow-tailed scorpions is believed to have arrived in the 18th century on ships carrying Italian masonry. While other scorpion sightings have occurred in the UK, this is the only place they've successfully established a long-term breeding colony, as to snakes we have two speices that are indigenous. The grass snake ( non-poisonious) and the Adder which is poisonious. However they are quick to vanish when they can sense us humans coming. Adders are most commonly found in Hundred Acre wood (Ashdown Forest) and the Lake District.
So interesting. I guess in colder, wetter climates these critters are less common.
I think with climate change the scorpions will expand their territory.
Oh no! But yes that might happen.
Reminds me of the last hike I helped lead. Timber Rattlers were active in the area so I had to prelude the hike with the safety talk about poisonous snakes — we have the aforementioned rattlesnakes and copperheads here. Always a good idea to watch your step and never put your foot over a rock or log where you can’t see.
Wow, yes, we gotta be careful!