In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw an Adder in 4 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Adder.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw an Adder - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: To draw an Adder Snake, you will want to first begin with the head. To draw the head drag a semi circle with a jagged pattern.
Step 2: Next you will want to draw the eyes of your snake. To create the eyes, you will want to draw to triangles and place them towards the sides of the head. Shade the eyes in.
Step 3: The next step is to draw the body. Use two curved lines that form an S shape pattern, one coming out of each side of the head. Have them meet together at a point at the end.
Step 4: The final step is to add the pattern to your snake body. To create the above pattern, draw two long bump lines starting from behind the head and going the full length of the body to the end of the tail. You have now successfully created an Adder Snake. In Europe, Adders are the only poisonous snakes. They are also the only snakes that can live in the Arctic Circle. Adders that grow to be adults can be as long as 24-35 inches long and can have 2 to 30 live babies. Harming, killing, or selling Adders is illegal in Great Britain.
Interesting Facts about Adders
Adders are zigzag striped snakes that can be found in Western Europe and East Asia. They live in rocky hillsides, moors, sandy wilderness, meadows, and rock quarries; so, pretty much everywhere. They eat small animals like birds, lizards, frogs, mice, and sometimes spiders, worms, and bugs. Adders are poisonous, but they only bite when they are scared or bothered. Adders are a diurnal species, which means they are awake and hunt during the day. There are 3 types of Adder: The Common European Adder, the Balkan Cross Adder, and the Sakhalin Island Adder. Like most snakes Adders like to sun themselves on rocks. That’s because they are reptiles and cold-blooded. When something is cold-blooded it has to get warm by something else, like the sun. Legend has it that St. Patrick led all the snakes out of Ireland. There has never been an Adder found in Ireland, but scientists say it is because snakes can’t swim. Not because of St. Patrick.
Did you know?
- Adders are the only poisonous snakes in Europe.
- The only snake to live in the Arctic Circle.
- Adults grow to be about 24-35 inches long.
- In Great Britain it is illegal to sell, kill, or harm Adders in any way.
- A female breed once every 2 to 3 years. A litter is 3-20 live babies.
Classroom activity: Collect various toys that look like food (apples, broccoli, cereal boxes, etc.) Also collect some toys that look like small animals and insects. Set up two large bowls or placemats. Have each student sort out which foods adders like and don’t like to eat. Time the game with a stopwatch and record the times on the chalkboard or white board. The fastest students will be awarded first, second, and third prize (something small like a candy bar… keep in find any food allergies.)
How to Draw an Adder – Step-By-Step Tutorial