Number up for adders?

THE adder, the UK’s only venomous snake, could become extinct in 15 to 20 years, according to an expert.

Nick Milton said there are 260 sites with the reptiles left. One of their greatest predators was pheasants, which are released in their millions on shooting estates. Adders normally hibernate in October and emerge in March but now they are being seen up to a month earlier.

Mr Milton told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘There are a number of reasons... climate change. There’s habitat destruction.’

He said the King could help preserve adders as they live on the Sandringham and Balmoral estates.