WILDLIFE workers have expressed their shock after an adder was spotted in an unusually early sighting.

A photograph of the viper, which is commonly seen across Europe, was taken by Rachael Thompson.

The small snake, the only venomous one found in the UK, was spotted near Ravenglass.

The picture of the reptile was shared with the team at Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

In a statement on their social media page, a spokesman said: “They [adders] usually emerge in March so this is an early sighting.

“Our warden at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve also spotted a lizard on Monday.”

The spokesman also questioned if the unusual sighting was a sign of warmer winters.

According to The Wildlife Trust, an adder’s poison is generally of little danger to humans.

Although an adder bite can be very painful and cause a nasty inflammation, it is really only dangerous to the very young, ill or old.

However, if someone is bitten, the trust’s advice is to seek medical attention immediately.

Adders are secretive animals and prefer to slither off into the undergrowth than confront and bite humans and domestic animals.

On average, adders are sized between 60 and 80cm and their typical lifespan can range up to 15 years.

They are usually seen between the months of March and October, with an appearance in February in the county shocking wildlife experts.

The adder is a greyish snake, with a dark and very distinct zig-zag pattern down its back, and a red eye.

Males tend to be more silvery-grey in colour, while females are more light or reddish-brown.