Wildlife

Wild Adder Welfare and Persecution

Adders are the UK's only venomous snake and are legally protected, but persecution through killing and habitat loss has caused significant population declines.

Key Facts

Adder populations have declined by 50% or more in many parts of their UK range
Killing adders is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Habitat fragmentation isolates adder populations, reducing genetic diversity and resilience
Adders require open sunny basking areas combined with scrub cover and rodent-rich hunting ground
Woodland scrub encroachment and urbanisation remove suitable heathland and edge habitats

Welfare Considerations

Adder welfare involves both legal protection from persecution and habitat management to support population viability. Individual adders face significant mortality from human intolerance.

What You Can Do

Never kill or disturb adders encountered in the wild - they are protected by law
Report adder sightings to your local wildlife trust to contribute to distribution mapping
Support heathland management that creates and maintains adder basking and hunting habitat