Adder
Adder
Adder (/ˈædər/) is a common name given to various species of snakes, most notably the European adder or common adder, Vipera berus. The name is derived from the Old English word nǣdre, which means snake.
Etymology
The term "adder" is derived from the Old English word nǣdre, which means snake. Over time, the initial "n" was lost due to a process known as misdivision. This occurred when the phrase "a nǣdre" was misinterpreted as "an ǣdre".
Species
The term "adder" is used to refer to several species of snakes, including:
- Vipera berus - The European adder or common adder, a venomous snake found throughout Europe and Asia.
- Heterodon platirhinos - The eastern hognose snake, also known as the puff adder, found in North America.
- Bitis arietans - The puff adder, a venomous viper species found in Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.
Related Terms
- Snake - A long, legless reptile of the suborder Serpentes.
- Venom - A toxic substance produced by some animals, including snakes, used to immobilize or kill prey.
- Viper - A family of venomous snakes found in most parts of the world, with the exception of Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, various other isolated islands, and north of the Arctic Circle.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Adder
- Wikipedia's article - Adder
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