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Are there poisonous snakes in Norway?

Norway's three snakes, how dangerous an adder bite is and what to do.

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Short answer

The adder (hoggorm) is the only venomous snake in Norway, and a bite can cause anything from no symptoms to serious poisoning. Deaths are very rare and mainly affect small children. Adders live as far north as Sømna in Nordland. Call 113 if a bite causes vomiting, dizziness, breathing problems or fast swelling.

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Why

  1. Store norske leksikon lists three snake species in Norway, the adder, the grass snake (buorm) and the smooth snake (slettsnok), and calls the adder Northern Europe's only venomous snake.
  2. In Norway the adder lives as far north as Sømna in Nordland, and in the mountains mainly up to the birch belt.
  3. Helsenorge says an adder bite can cause anything from no poisoning to serious poisoning, so every bite should be taken seriously.

Details

Adders hibernate through the cold season, and in some areas they leave their winter shelter as early as February or March. After a bite, stay as still as possible and leave the bite alone: do not squeeze, cut or suck it. If symptoms are mild or you are unsure, the Poison Information Centre (Giftinformasjonen) gives advice around the clock on 22 59 13 00.

Tip

Save both numbers in your phone before a hike: 113 if a bite causes serious symptoms, and 22 59 13 00 for advice from Giftinformasjonen.

What may differ

Small children are at greatest risk: according to Store norske leksikon, the very rare deaths after adder bites mainly involve small children.

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Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

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