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Adder distribution in Scotland reduced, study finds
Adders are considered 'Near Threatened' in Scotland.
The findings have raised concern about adder conservation.

The latest Scottish Adder Survey has reported a significant reduction of adder distribution in the country since 1994.

The study found that the amount of ten-kilometre squares where adders had been reported in Scotland had reduced by 36 per cent.

In 1994, when the last Scottish Adder Survey was conducted, researchers found adders in 567 ten-kilometre square research sites. The post-1994 statistics report adders in just 364 research sites.

Questionnaires have also raised the perception that adders are becoming less common.

Despite the reduction in distribution, researchers did find the overall range of adders to be similar to findings gathered in 1994. A large proportion of native snakes were reported in the upland regions of Scotland, between Glasgow and Inverness. They remained absent from the Central Valley, Outer Hebrides and Northern Isles.

The latest study was a partnership between NatureScot, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, and Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK.

The 2024 study was designed to repeat the work performed in 1994. Researchers used similar methods, conducting a questionnaire and a re-survey of the original study sites.

This data was combined with historical records collected by several other sources.

Adders are currently considered 'Near Threatened' in Scotland, Wales and Britain as a whole and 'Vulnerable' in England by the Great Britain IUCN Red List Assessment. They are Scotland's only native snake and is the only venomous snake in Britain.

The decline in adder distribution has previously been linked with various pressures, such as habitat loss, disturbance, and a lack of conservation management.

Catherine Whatley, NatureScot's Amphibians and Reptiles Advisor, said: “Reptiles are a challenging species to study in Scotland, due to their low detectability combined with how vast and remote Scotland can be, so we haven’t been able to draw robust conclusions about changes in the adder population size. The evidence we have gathered points to a picture of decline, with the contraction in adder distribution quite alarming.

“We’re very grateful to all the people who took part in the Scottish Adder Survey, from the surveys and questionnaire participants to everyone who has submitted adder records in Scotland.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."