Snakes Alive

Snakes Alive!
and that's how we want to keep them

Snakes often have a bad reputation in the eyes of the public. They are known as being sly and dangerous and have suffered widespread persecution. In fact, snakes are shy, secretive creatures and are more fascinating than they might first appear. In the last few decades, snake populations in this country have suffered massive declines due to habitat loss and persecution.

Snakes are as central to our natural history and as prominent in folklore as the water vole, badger or barn owl. Yet, unlike these species, snakes are maligned by many people. There is a general lack of awareness of the conservation needs of these species amongst landowners and members of the wider community.

Persecution events still occur even though this practice is illegal. But the extent and significance of this is still largely unknown

Know our snakes

There are three species of snake in Britain, the adder, the grass snake and the smooth snake. The slow-worm is another native species of reptiles which is a legless lizard and often mistaken for a snake. For more information about each species of snake click here .

We have produced a poster to help with identification of these species

Without action all of our snakes may
become endangered species

Our snakes are under threat, but Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is in a unique position to help conserve of Britain’s three snake species.

Habitat loss: the loss of suitable habitats for the species, for example through development, intensification of farming and forestry has been a major problem for snakes. Through our advocacy work and through promoting sustainable farming ARC is aiming to reduce the rate of habitat loss and to encourage positive gains to offset historic losses.

Habitat Management: In areas where habitats remain, the specific features needed to keep snake populations can be lost – either through insufficient management or because insensitive work has been carried out. This may result in populations becoming isolated, hibernation areas becoming destroyed or sunny basking areas being shaded out. ARC, through its own programmes of habitat management both on our own nature reserves, land managed by other people, and through providing advice to land managers ensure that habitats that are suitable for snakes are being provided and that populations are being expanded and linked together again.

Persecution: If we want to stop snake persecution we must give good advice and encourage interest and enthusiasm for snakes and promote the laws that protect snakes. We challenge those individuals that continue to kill snakes intentionally and work to raise awareness amongst law enforcement organisations and conservation agencies.

Appreciation and understanding: The poor public perception of snakes is often brought about through lack of understanding and lack of opportunity to encounter these species. ARC undertakes a programme of events, walks and talks, and takes snakes to public events, to give people an opportunity to meet and learn more about snakes. It is often amazing to see people who profess to dislike snakes or to have a phobia of them initially, become sympathetic about them once they have had a chance to see them first hand.

Gardens: We often have enquiries about snakes in gardens and aim to provide objective advice while encouraging people to have a positive opinion. We have produced a leaflet about managing gardens for amphibians and reptiles called 'Dragons in your garden '. We contributed to the production of Natural England’s booklet on Reptiles in Gardens that provides good advice to garden owners.

Research/ survey NARRS: In order to conserve snakes we need to understand where they are and how their populations are faring. ARC has established a number of surveying and monitoring projects and works in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Groups (link to ARG UK) to collect data to help this understanding, coordinated through a national programme of survey and training called National Amphibians and Reptile Recording Scheme (NARRS ) including:

o    National Reptile Survey : sample areas (based on 1 km grid squares) to allow assessment of national population levels and trends
o    Sliding scales : on line recording for snakes locations
o    Add an Adder ‘: reports of adders, through recent and old observations and anecdotes
o    Make the Adder Count : repeat surveys at known adders sites to allow and assessment to trends

Through our campaign ‘Sliding Scales ’ we want to ensure that as many people as possible across the country are given the opportunity to appreciate these animals more and also to contribute to their conservation.

Help stop the persecution of our snakes
TAKE ACTION NOW

We are hoping that you will feel as strongly as we do about conserving our snakes. Please don't wait to send your donation to ARC. We hope it will make you proud to be involved with an organisation that strives for a world where amphibians and reptiles are valued and safeguarded for future generations.
Make a donation at: www.arc-trust.org/support/donate.php