Adder in danger: where are the living snake corridors?

Adder in danger: where are the living snake corridors?

The adder is fighting for survival

The adder is becoming increasingly rare in the moor and heath areas of the North German plain. From 2022 to 2024 alone, the Poison Information Center-Nord (GIZ-Nord) at the Göttingen University Medical Center recorded just under 20 calls per year about suspected adder bites. Ten years ago there were up to 50 calls a year. These figures clearly show that the occurrence of adders – one of the most well-known poisonous snakes – is declining sharply. Professor Michael Pees from the Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine explains that the adder is endangered and is finding fewer and fewer suitable habitats. A worrying development that should not go unnoticed.

A variety of factors contribute to the threat to adders. Climate change with its extreme weather phases such as drought is affecting the animals. The wet-dry transition areas in which adders traditionally occur are now at risk. There is also a lack of corridors connecting different areas, which negatively affects the reproduction and genetics of populations.

An endangered habitat

But the problems of adders are not just a modern phenomenon. 120 years ago, catch bonuses for adders were paid out in numerous areas. Tens of thousands of these snakes were killed, and an association to exterminate adders was founded. In Austria, the adder is now considered “endangered” and requires special protection. Its distribution area extends from England to the Russian island of Sakhalin, although it can also be found beyond the Arctic Circle. In Austria it lives in seven out of nine federal states, with the exception of Vienna and Burgenland, mainly in dwarf shrub heaths and the Alpine mountain pine zone.

Adder bites are painful, but not life-threatening for healthy people. However, their preference for structurally rich habitats such as heath and moor areas makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat changes. High wild boar populations, intensive development and increasing land use pose additional threats.

Protective measures and new hope

To help the adder, various protective measures are required. This includes the preservation and optimization of their habitats, but also increased educational work among the population. Connecting habitats is essential to avoid inbreeding and susceptibility to disease. Innovative projects such as the “Green Belt” ensure that the moorland character is restored in certain regions, for example by reactivating moats and removing spruce trees to create new sunny spots. These measures are not only long-term solutions, but also give the adder a realistic chance of survival.

Adders are cold-blooded and need regular sun to regulate their body temperature. It is imperative that people respect and protect these natural conditions. With conscientious management of its habitats and the support of the “Cross-linking Green Belt” project, the adder may still have a future in northern Germany and beyond.

The fate of adders is a reflection of our responsibility towards nature. It is up to us to preserve the habitat that is worth protecting and to stop the gradual decline of this fascinating species. If we don't act, it could soon be too late.