THE SURFING SNAKE

VENOMOUS CREATURE RIDES THE WAVES WHEN IT BOLTS FOR WATER

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor

A VENOMOUS snake bolted for the sea when it was found hiding under a paddleboard on a Gwynedd beach.

To general surprise, it began riding the surf, showing just how adept they are at swimming.

A video clip of the juvenile adder taking a dip off Pwllheli went viral when it was posted online. While many marvelled at its ability to swim, it also sent shudders through people worried about their next trip to the beach.

Sand dunes are among the habitats favoured by adders, which are rarely seen but not uncommon on the Llyn Peninsula.

While they're not known to seek out the sea, on hot days they might look for cooler areas to regulate their body temperature. It's not unknown for them take a brief dip.

The snake - estimated to be only 18 inches (45cm) long - was discovered lurking under a paddleboard at Morfa'r Garreg, near Pwllheli's Carreg yr Imbyll (Gimblet Rock). The board had been left lying there just five minutes - long enough for the adder to make its move.

Its owner, Raymond Vaughan Jones, said he was 'more surprised than shocked.' He added: "I'd never seen a snake on a beach before and certainly nowhere near the sea."