Wildlife

Wild Adder Conservation and Welfare UK

The adder is the UK's only venomous snake, and its populations have declined significantly due to habitat fragmentation and persecution.

Key Facts

Adders have declined by up to 90% in some UK regions since the 1990s
Habitat loss through scrub encroachment and agricultural intensification is the primary driver
Illegal persecution including deliberate killing remains a problem
Adders require open sunny basking areas surrounded by denser vegetation for shelter
Adder bites to dogs are the most common UK snake welfare emergency each summer

Welfare Considerations

Adders killed through persecution or road casualties suffer preventable deaths. Adders are legally protected in the UK and their welfare and conservation status are closely aligned. Habitat management creating open sunny clearings with structural diversity is the primary conservation and welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Never kill adders - they are legally protected and very rarely dangerous
Support heathland and downland management creating adder habitat
Report adder killings to the police and wildlife crime organisations