Wildlife experts fear that the adder may be extinct in Nottinghamshire after another annual survey failed to find any evidence of the reptile.
The last confirmed sighting of the venomous snake in the county was in Sherwood Forest in 2005.
Nick Crouch, a conservationist, said its disappearance was "very worrying" as the species was a key indicator of the health of the food chain.
The wildlife expect has appealed for the public to report any sightings.
'Bit of a mystery'
Mr Crouch, a nature conservation leader for Nottinghamshire County Council, said the species was once quite widespread across Sherwood.
Adders are in rapid decline in the UK and experts put this mainly down to habitat loss and disturbance.
"These snakes require areas of heathland and woodland," Mr Crouch said.
Read more here ...
Showing posts with label adder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adder. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Experts DNA test England's adders to help halt decline
28 March 2011
Ecologists are running DNA tests on adders to check their genetic diversity amid fears the UK's only venomous snake is vanishing from the wild.
A recent study found that numbers of the reptile had declined since 2007.
Conservationists believe inbreeding in small, isolated populations could lead to a further decrease in numbers.
Experts from Natural England, the Zoological Society of London and Oxford University are taking swabs from the reptiles at 16 sites across England.
Ecologist Nigel Hand has already carried out health checks and collected DNA samples from five snakes at a Surrey Wildlife Trust site and 27 adders from an area in Norfolk.
Once captured, the reptiles are placed in a plastic tube to measure their length and protect the handler from their bite.
A swab is taken and they are marked before they are released back into the wild.
The DNA is then analysed to see whether larger or smaller populations have different levels of genetic variety.
Jim Foster, of Natural England, said: "With around a third of adder populations now restricted to isolated pockets of habitat, and with only a handful of snakes per sites, they could be especially vulnerable."
It is estimated that there are 1,000 populations of adder in the country with some groups made up of fewer than 10 adults.
Mr Foster said the tests would also help them understand why some adders had been found with abnormalities including malformed scales and missing eyes.
He added: "In the longer term, the last resort option is whether we should move animals between populations, artificially encouraging them to mix."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12878563
Ecologists are running DNA tests on adders to check their genetic diversity amid fears the UK's only venomous snake is vanishing from the wild.
A recent study found that numbers of the reptile had declined since 2007.
Conservationists believe inbreeding in small, isolated populations could lead to a further decrease in numbers.
Experts from Natural England, the Zoological Society of London and Oxford University are taking swabs from the reptiles at 16 sites across England.
Ecologist Nigel Hand has already carried out health checks and collected DNA samples from five snakes at a Surrey Wildlife Trust site and 27 adders from an area in Norfolk.
Once captured, the reptiles are placed in a plastic tube to measure their length and protect the handler from their bite.
A swab is taken and they are marked before they are released back into the wild.
The DNA is then analysed to see whether larger or smaller populations have different levels of genetic variety.
Jim Foster, of Natural England, said: "With around a third of adder populations now restricted to isolated pockets of habitat, and with only a handful of snakes per sites, they could be especially vulnerable."
It is estimated that there are 1,000 populations of adder in the country with some groups made up of fewer than 10 adults.
Mr Foster said the tests would also help them understand why some adders had been found with abnormalities including malformed scales and missing eyes.
He added: "In the longer term, the last resort option is whether we should move animals between populations, artificially encouraging them to mix."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12878563
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Adders, toads and lizards are disappearing from UK
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
By Emma Brennand
Earth News reporter
The native adder is effectively disappearing from our landscape, a study has revealed.
The first nationwide survey of UK amphibian and reptiles has found that Britain's most widespread snake, the adder, is in decline.
Slow worms, common lizards and grass snakes are also becoming less widespread, as are the common toad, common frog and the great crested newt.
The only species found to be increasing its range is the palmate newt.
These startling trends come from a report produced by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust, which has been gathering data on 12 species since 2007.
The trust's National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) has presented its interim findings, which cover the first half of the six-year survey period from 2007 to 2012.
The full survey aims to establish baselines for widespread species - figures against which future status changes can be assessed.
The survey focuses on widespread amphibian and reptile population. These include the great crested, smooth and palmate newts, common toad and frog, common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder, as well as the wall and green lizards and agile frog in Jersey.
The rarest species, such as the great crested newt, already have high levels of protection, but it is strongly suspected that some formerly common species now in decline.
For this reason, the UK government passed legislation in 2007 prioritising the protection of common toads and all UK reptiles.
But this survey suggests that their numbers continue to fall.
Out of approximately 250 square kilometres surveyed, adders were found in about 20.
"Though we suspected that adders were getting much less common, it is very alarming that they turn up in only 7% of reptile surveys nationally," Dr John Wilkinson, Research and Monitoring Officer for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, told BBC News.
"Adder occupancy is poor everywhere, making them our rarest widespread reptile by far and in need of serious conservation attention."
Historically, it was believed that adders were most at risk from persecution - people killing the snakes because they are venomous. But the ARC Trust say that their decline may also be caused by development and disturbance.
Under threat
Other widespread amphibians and reptiles also appear to be in trouble.
"There is no single trend as different species are sensitive to different issues," explained Dr Wilkinson.
"Broadly, though, our reptiles and amphibians are doing poorly and adders in particular."
Common frogs are becoming less common in the south of England, particularly in areas which have experienced the most development in recent decades.
And, in the same area of England, the common toad is only half as widespread as the common frog.
"Great crested newts may be much rarer in Scotland than we thought - they haven't turned up in any of our NARRS surveys [there]," said Dr Wilkinson.
Common lizards, thought to occur throughout the UK, were seen rarely in the north and central regions, including Wales. Slow-worms were also found to be scarce in these areas.
Dr Wilkinson believes that this may be because these leg-less lizards are more difficult to find, as they burrow in undergrowth. So a reduced number of sightings may not necessarily reflect a decrease in their population.
Acid-lover
Surprisingly, palmate newt numbers are higher than expected, which might indicate changes in the quality of Britain's ponds.
Unlike many other amphibian species, these small newts thrive in acidic pools that are formed through acid rain fall or agricultural run-off.
The main drive of amphibian and reptile decline is thought to be habitat fragmentation and development.
Conservationists say this is a particular problem for toads, which are more sensitive than frogs to changes in habitat.
The final NARRS report is due to be published in Spring 2014.
See video at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9405000/9405801.stm
(Submitted by Liz R.)
By Emma Brennand
Earth News reporter
The native adder is effectively disappearing from our landscape, a study has revealed.
The first nationwide survey of UK amphibian and reptiles has found that Britain's most widespread snake, the adder, is in decline.
Slow worms, common lizards and grass snakes are also becoming less widespread, as are the common toad, common frog and the great crested newt.
The only species found to be increasing its range is the palmate newt.
These startling trends come from a report produced by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust, which has been gathering data on 12 species since 2007.
The trust's National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS) has presented its interim findings, which cover the first half of the six-year survey period from 2007 to 2012.
The full survey aims to establish baselines for widespread species - figures against which future status changes can be assessed.
The survey focuses on widespread amphibian and reptile population. These include the great crested, smooth and palmate newts, common toad and frog, common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder, as well as the wall and green lizards and agile frog in Jersey.
The rarest species, such as the great crested newt, already have high levels of protection, but it is strongly suspected that some formerly common species now in decline.
For this reason, the UK government passed legislation in 2007 prioritising the protection of common toads and all UK reptiles.
But this survey suggests that their numbers continue to fall.
Out of approximately 250 square kilometres surveyed, adders were found in about 20.
"Though we suspected that adders were getting much less common, it is very alarming that they turn up in only 7% of reptile surveys nationally," Dr John Wilkinson, Research and Monitoring Officer for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, told BBC News.
"Adder occupancy is poor everywhere, making them our rarest widespread reptile by far and in need of serious conservation attention."
Historically, it was believed that adders were most at risk from persecution - people killing the snakes because they are venomous. But the ARC Trust say that their decline may also be caused by development and disturbance.
Under threat
Other widespread amphibians and reptiles also appear to be in trouble.
"There is no single trend as different species are sensitive to different issues," explained Dr Wilkinson.
"Broadly, though, our reptiles and amphibians are doing poorly and adders in particular."
Common frogs are becoming less common in the south of England, particularly in areas which have experienced the most development in recent decades.
And, in the same area of England, the common toad is only half as widespread as the common frog.
"Great crested newts may be much rarer in Scotland than we thought - they haven't turned up in any of our NARRS surveys [there]," said Dr Wilkinson.
Common lizards, thought to occur throughout the UK, were seen rarely in the north and central regions, including Wales. Slow-worms were also found to be scarce in these areas.
Dr Wilkinson believes that this may be because these leg-less lizards are more difficult to find, as they burrow in undergrowth. So a reduced number of sightings may not necessarily reflect a decrease in their population.
Acid-lover
Surprisingly, palmate newt numbers are higher than expected, which might indicate changes in the quality of Britain's ponds.
Unlike many other amphibian species, these small newts thrive in acidic pools that are formed through acid rain fall or agricultural run-off.
The main drive of amphibian and reptile decline is thought to be habitat fragmentation and development.
Conservationists say this is a particular problem for toads, which are more sensitive than frogs to changes in habitat.
The final NARRS report is due to be published in Spring 2014.
See video at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9405000/9405801.stm
(Submitted by Liz R.)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Jail Snake
A PRISON inmate was bitten by an adder after an invasion of the venomous snakes, it was revealed yesterday.
An ambulance with two paramedics raced to treat the shocked 30-year-old.
The baby adder had sank its fangs into his hand in the grounds of HMP The Verne in Dorset. He later told officers that he thought it was a slow worm - until he saw its mother coming at him. The con, serving five years for fraud and drug offences, recovered fully in the jail's medical centre. It was believed that adders, Britain's only venomous snake, have been climbing the sloped walls to bask in the sunshine.
Bosses have put up signs warning the 600 inmates: "Due to warm weather, snakes are falling from the ramparts into the prison. If you see one, do not approach but alert staff." A prison insider said: "A bite by an adder is not fatal for a normal, healthy human being. "But it is extremely painful and requires immediate medical attention."
Another source added: "There's enough snakes in here without them falling from the walls."
The Prison Service said: "A prisoner at HMP The Verne was bitten by an adder on Friday, June 18. He was treated in the healthcare centre."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3030573/A-prison-inmate-was-bitten-by-an-adder-after-an-invasion-of-the-venomous-snakes.html#ixzz0s3UL52ZV
An ambulance with two paramedics raced to treat the shocked 30-year-old.
The baby adder had sank its fangs into his hand in the grounds of HMP The Verne in Dorset. He later told officers that he thought it was a slow worm - until he saw its mother coming at him. The con, serving five years for fraud and drug offences, recovered fully in the jail's medical centre. It was believed that adders, Britain's only venomous snake, have been climbing the sloped walls to bask in the sunshine.
Bosses have put up signs warning the 600 inmates: "Due to warm weather, snakes are falling from the ramparts into the prison. If you see one, do not approach but alert staff." A prison insider said: "A bite by an adder is not fatal for a normal, healthy human being. "But it is extremely painful and requires immediate medical attention."
Another source added: "There's enough snakes in here without them falling from the walls."
The Prison Service said: "A prisoner at HMP The Verne was bitten by an adder on Friday, June 18. He was treated in the healthcare centre."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3030573/A-prison-inmate-was-bitten-by-an-adder-after-an-invasion-of-the-venomous-snakes.html#ixzz0s3UL52ZV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)