Vipera berus, the
common European adder or
common European viper, is a
venomous snake that is extremely widespread and can be found throughout most of
Western Europe and as far as
East Asia. Known by a host of common names including
common adder and
common viper, adders have been the subject of much folklore in Britain and other European countries. They are not regarded as especially dangerous; the snake is not aggressive and usually bites only when alarmed or disturbed. Bites can be very painful, but are seldom fatal. The
specific name,
berus, is
New Latin and was at one time used to refer to a snake, possibly the grass snake,
Natrix natrix.