Vacationers in Rügen: Dangerous encounters with adders!

Vacationers in Rügen: Dangerous encounters with adders!

Vacationers on the Baltic Sea not only bring the sun with them, but often also a lot of harm for the local wildlife. The adder, Germany's only poisonous snake, is becoming increasingly stressed by growing tourism in its home on Rügen. Steffen Krüger, ranger in the southeast Rügen biosphere area, describes that he recently observed two adders courting and mating - a real stroke of luck, after all, these animals usually retreat into impenetrable undergrowth. However, their habitats are rapidly disappearing, which poses additional risks. Loud Northern Courier Adders are critically endangered and are on the red list of threatened species.

The picturesque island attracts over 1.2 million tourists every year. While many enjoy the outdoors, unwanted encounters with snakes often occur. Last year there were five documented cases of dogs being bitten by adders. Steffen Krüger emphasizes that people play the key role here: “It’s about education and understanding of the animal world,” he says. It is therefore essential that dogs are kept on a leash in order to avoid such incidents and to protect the animals.

The adders and their characteristics

The adder (Vipera berus) is not only the only snake species that occurs north of the Arctic Circle, but also the one with the largest distribution area within the viper family. These clever hunters are diurnal, live in moist forests and feed on small mammals and lizards. With an average length of 50 to 70 cm, they can grow up to 90 cm long. Females tend to be heavier and longer than males and are characterized by a distinctive dark zigzag pattern on their backs. This not only makes them beautiful, but also unique among the local fauna.

But the challenges are numerous. Loss of habitat and the fragmentation of populations are the greatest threats currently facing the adder. This leads the German Society for Herpetology and Terrarium Science to name the adder Reptile of the Year 2024 in order to promote acceptance and protection of these fascinating animals. With an IUCN status of “Least Concern”, the species is not in immediate danger of extinction, but in Germany its protection falls under the “Endangered” category.

People and their role in nature conservation

Krüger observes with regret that many holidaymakers use the biosphere area as an “outdoor toilet”, which seriously damages the sensitive ecosystem. “Disturbances lead to a loss of energy in the animals, especially after hibernation,” he explains. With his educational approach he wants to open tourists' eyes and make them aware of the need for nature conservation. The questions he asks during tours show that he doesn't want to impose a ban, but rather wants to encourage understanding of nature.

In a different context, the adder is also causing a stir in the fashion world. The Novritsch company from Vienna has developed an adder camouflage pattern intended for military and leisure clothing. They wanted to create a unique pattern specifically designed for the airsoft market. This pattern uses elements from nature such as brown tiger stripes and green channels to best camouflage itself in mixed forests. Even though it has nothing to do with protecting real adders, it shows how these snakes can be inspiring - in many ways.