What is the Add an Adder Project?

This is a project being run by The Herpetological Conservation Trust (The HCT) aiming to collect information about the adder across Britain. We are looking at both new and old records, observations and anecdotes that help us understand where adders are and where they have been in the past. 

Please note that you need not enter any records here that have already been sent to recorders or records centres.

We are sure that there is a wealth of information stored in people's minds and memories across the country. We are aiming to collect as much of this information as possible to add to the overall picture of the history of the adder in Britain. Information within the last 50 years is especially useful, but information beyond that is also of considerable interest.

With your help we can build a picture of the status of Adders - then and now.

How can I get involved?

  • You can help by telling us where you have seen adders or where other people have told you they have seen them. 

  • Any information about places where adders have been reported could be useful, even if you are not entirely sure whether the animal seen was definitely an adder. 

  • If you know of anybody who may have either recent or past local knowledge about this animal please ask them to contribute to this survey either by telling you or by visiting this site themselves. 

  • We would also be interested to know about areas where adders were once found but have since disappeared.

  • This project is only available online. If you would like to contribute please click here or hit the 'Enter Records' button on the home page for the online recording form.

This project does not require you to actively look for adders, but just to report on what you know. However, if you do see adders in the wild you must remember that you should not approach them too closely both for your own and for the adder's safety. The adder is a venomous snake and its bite, though seldom fatal, can be very unpleasant and will require medical attention. Adders are protected by law and are particularly prone to disturbance so keep a sensible distance between yourself and the snake.

What will we do with the information you send us?

The information you give us will help The HCT describe the status of the adder in Britain at present and how it has changed historically. This will compliment information from a range of other sources in a project that will run over a number of years. Regular updates will be available on this website.


We would also wish to pass your records on to local recorders or recording centres so they can be used for direct local conservation purposes or to encourage follow-up survey. This will only happen if you are happy for us to do so.

Do you want to be more involved?


If you are very keen and want to do more and :-


• have experience of observing adders, and
• are familiar with adder behaviour and ecology, and
• know of at least 1 adder population, and
• have access and permission to visit the site

then you may wish to get involved with the 'Make the Adder Count' survey.


If you do not have the relevant experience but want to get more involved in adder conservation then we recommend that you contact your nearest Amphibian and Reptile Group. These groups may be able to provide the necessary training or organise local counts. For more information click here.