Today's useless information about adders, the only indigenous venomous snake in the UK.
It's shy, it's happiest getting out of your way unless you're a)stupid enough to pick it up; b) unobservant enough to step on it whilst wearing sandals or bare feet; c) blessed with the sort of friends who think it funny to hide snakes in your boots/bag/bed.
People who have been bitten don't usually die, they're fairly poorly for a while, but deaths are usually because of existing heart conditions or allergic reaction to the anti-venom. The last set of stats I have (1980something), showed that more people died as a result of the allergy than they did from the snake bite.
I used to live in Dorset, the only place in the UK where all our indigenous snakes and lizards can be found living in one area. The only adder I've ever seen was retreating at a rate of knots.
I like snakes too.... I'd be rooting for the reptiles.
Peace - whatever you do, don't go and see 'Christine' or 'Cujo' - you'll never get in a car with a dog again!