Following their arrival from Wildpark Assling in Austria in the autumn, the four snakes were initially kept behind the scenes at Hellabrunn Zoo. Born in 2020, the two male and two female venomous snakes spent the winter in quarantine to protect against frost as they were very small – less than 30 cm – when they first came to Munich.
In their natural habitat, adders typically hibernate underground in a frost-free refuge from October to March. As a member of the viper family, they can grow up to 80 cm long; the quartet at Hellabrunn Zoo has grown significantly in length and strength in recent months. The distinguishing features of this fascinating animal include the distinct zig-zag pattern on its back and the intense gaze of their vertically split pupils.
After a brief spell of wintry weather in early April, the recent warmer temperatures offered the ideal conditions for moving the adders to the outdoor terrarium. Visitors to the zoo will now be able to see the snakes in their new home, which is situated next to the goose meadow in the Mühlendorf village.
“The four adders were moved to the Mühlenhaus in the Mühlendorf village a few days ago. There we gradually acclimatised them to the temperatures outside and the change from day to night before they were finally released into the outdoor terrarium," says curator Lena Bockreiß.
While the other terrariums at the zoo are designed to replicate either desert or tropical rainforest habitats - as most of the snakes at Hellabrunn come from tropical climate zones - the adders feel comfortable with local temperatures, similar to that found in Germany’s forests, grasslands and moors. The reptile can also be found in alpine regions up to 3,000 m above sea level and even beyond the Arctic Circle. The adder is listed as endangered in the Red List of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Our so-called immersion enclosures ensure that we replicate an authentic, natural habitat when setting up systems and terrariums, so that visitors can experience it and at the same time fulfil the needs of animals. The adders, for example, live in a terrarium with large roots, coniferous shrubs, a large rock for sunbathing and a small pond. There is also a large hibernation hole below the water basin with loosened earth and leaves, where the snakes can retreat in autumn," adds Bockreiß.
Hellabrunn is one of the few zoos in Germany that house venomous snakes. Zoo director Rasem Baban therefore places great emphasis on educating visitors about the importance of the native venomous snake species: " "Despite scepticism among the population, native venomous snakes play an important role in the ecosystem and help maintain the necessary balance in nature. We are pleased that the adders are expanding the diversity of native animal species in our Mühlendorf village.”
In addition to the adders, Hellabrunn Zoo has seven other venomous snake species such as eastern copperhead and western Gaboon viper, which can be seen in their terrariums in the Venomous Snake Hall above the aquarium.