Wildlife

Wild Adder UK Welfare and Decline

Adders are the UK's only venomous snake and are declining due to habitat loss and persecution. Understanding their welfare needs supports conservation.

Key Facts

UK adder populations have declined significantly over recent decades
Adders hibernate from October to February and are cold-sensitive
Illegal killing by humans remains a significant welfare and conservation threat
They require mosaic habitats with sunny basking sites and dense cover
Adder bites to dogs are the main source of reported snakebite in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Adders killed through illegal persecution suffer directly. Those displaced by habitat loss face challenges finding alternative basking sites and overwintering habitat. Habitat fragmentation reduces breeding opportunities and genetic diversity. Legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act must be enforced to protect individual adder welfare.

What You Can Do

Report suspected illegal adder killing to police wildlife crime units
Keep dogs on leads in adder habitat, especially in spring
Support Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust adder conservation