Cannock Chase adders at risk as photographers try to spot them
Alastair Hughes-Roden, one of the rangers, said: "A lot of the time they are quite shy and elusive, but they are quite easily prone to disturbance."Adders in general are up to about 60 to 70cm in length when fully grown, he said, with a black zigzag pattern going all the way down the back.He said as the snakes started to appear in the spring sunshine, people had been showing rangers photographs of adders and posting them on social media.However, some of the pictures and video posts have also shown photographers leaving paths, walking through the undergrowth and crushing wildlife habitats underfoot.Mr Hughes-Roden said if snakes were out basking in the sun, they were trying to warm up to get energy, adding that walkers who disturbed them by leaving the path could push the snakes into unfavourable habitats.
The Cannock Chase team said on Facebook that adders were protected by law, adding: "If you're lucky enough to spot one, enjoy watching from a distance. Photographers are encouraged to use long-lens cameras to capture close-up shots to avoid disturbing their habitat."If a dog is bitten, the advice is to seek a vet immediately. Symptoms include swelling, pain and lethargy.Rangers previously said adders were facing near extinction in Britain and were a priority conservation species.Research from the University of Reading in 2019 said adders could "all but disappear from the UK countryside by 2032", and top of the list of key threats was public pressure through disturbance.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
08-08-2025
- BBC News
In pictures: 8th Century monastery dig in Cookham
Archaeology students have been uncovering evidence of early end-of-life care during excavations at an 8th Century and staff from the University of Reading have been taking part in an annual dig at the site in Cookham, year Thomas Hayes, director of the university's field school, said they had found evidence of illness and treatment in human remains, including bedsores, suggesting palliative care may have taken Sophia Mills, a forensic archaeology expert at the university, said it had been a "very delicate process" as "these individuals have not chosen to be excavated and so we are being as respectful as we can be and very, very careful". You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
04-08-2025
- BBC News
Another day of dinosaur fun is coming to Hull city centre
Visitors will have the chance to get up close and personal with dinosaurs and step back millions of years when Dino Day returns to event, organised by Hull BID, will include displays of a raptor, a Dilophosaurus and a will be free face-painting and a colouring competition with dinosaur prizes on Day takes place in Queen Victoria Square between 11:00 and 15:00 BST on Friday. Children can use their skills to become "super sleuths" as they track down and identify dinosaurs and pre-historic creatures in shops and businesses around the city event has been held since 2022. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
BBC News
03-08-2025
- BBC News
Unearthing end-of-life care at 8th Century Cookham monastery
A group of archaeology students have said their work feels "really important" after uncovering evidence of early end-of-life care during excavations at an 8th Century of Reading students and staff have been taking part in an annual dig at the site in Cookham, Berkshire, and a neighbouring team first discovered the Anglo-Saxon site in Cookham, Berkshire, in Hayes, director of the university's field school, said this year they had found evidence of illness and treatment in human remains, including bedsores, suggesting palliative care may have taken place. "It feels like I'm doing something really important," said first year undergraduate student Thalia Argrave."It's just the constant reminder that these were people, they were living their lives just as we're currently living our lives, and we're finding out about them and rediscovering them now. I'm really happy to be a part of [it]." Mr Hayes said the archaeologists had found "a lot more in the way of human remains", particularly "a number of juvenile remains".The evidence of those in the monastery caring for the sick, he said, was "really important"."At the time, care for the soul and care for the body were treated almost as the same - equal importance."But it's also showing the execution of this religious duty in the actual practice of this monastery."We don't always see that in the archaeological record but here we're seeing it very actively in the population that we're finding." Ms Argrave said the team spent a year preparing for the dig, adding: "It's really valuable and important to be part of that first hand."There are experts everywhere in the trenches so we're asking lots of questions and learning so much." Elearnor Rawlings, another first year student, said taking part in the dig made her appreciate how much effort is involved."I have so much more appreciation for the work that goes into what they put in the museums, because this takes so long to slowly inch away all the soil and to get such a good clear outline," she said. "I'm loving it."The excavated skeletons "tell their own stories", she added. "The bones themselves can tell you so much more about what a person's life would have looked like in that time." Mr Hayes said it was interesting to see the students get involved."Some of the students, who had no expectations and didn't know what to expect from this, are really taking to it and really enjoying it."This year, we've got a fantastic group of students who are just getting stuck in and asking loads of really interesting questions and really engaging with the subject." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
