Take part in the Scottish Adder Survey

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC), NatureScot (formerly SNH), and the Amphibian & Reptile Groups of the UK (ARGUK) are looking for support from farmers, land managers and crofters across Scotland with a Scottish Adder Survey.

Why?

There is growing evidence of a long-term decline in adder populations in Britain, especially in England, although the situation here in Scotland is less clear, highlighting the need to better understand adder distribution and conservation status. The adder is the only widespread native snake occurring in Scotland and the last systematic survey of adders in Scotland was undertaken almost 30 years ago in the early 1990s.

The adder appears to be especially sensitive to changes in land management and land use. and so better information on the current conservation status of the species and on population trends would help us to minimise the risks to adders arising from significant threats, for example, climate change impacts.

How?

Take a few minutes to complete the online survey using the link below.

Scottish Adder Survey | NatureScot

Personal data and address are not required. The survey is focusing on the locations on your ground where you have encountered these reptiles.

There is no need to go out and look for these species, just to report what you have seen. Please note that only one location question needs to be filled out for questions 1-6, it is so that you can provide a location in whatever format you are comfortable with.

I have questions – who do I contact? Rachael (ARC Scotland Project Officer) – rachael@arc-trust.org

or Catherine Whatley (NatureScot reptile and amphibian advisor) – catherine.whatley@nature.scot