A significant amount of UK wildlife is in decline, and once-common British endangered species are now on the brink of extinction. Endangered animals in the UK require protection since they are significantly impacted by new construction, habitat destruction, and climate change. Solutions such as ecological surveys and eco-friendly development can reduce the negative effects. However, for some of these species, it may already be too late.
In this guide to the most endangered animals in the UK, we will look at the animals that may go extinct in our lifetime, details of their decline, and the best ways to protect them.
Read more on UK protected species and habitats in this guide, and explore our range of ecological services.
Bats - Pipistrelle
Bats are the only true flying mammals in the world. Although they may look like rodents, they are actually more closely related to humans than they are to mice. Unfortunately, bats are a significant British endangered species. For example, The greater mouse-eared bat is now all but extinct in Britain, with just one solitary male known to hibernate in a disused railway tunnel in Sussex.
Our most common bat, the pipistrelle, has declined by 70% between 1978 and 1993. This species is a small bat that you may notice sleeping in buildings during the day. Once it gets dark, they take to the trees to forage, and a tiny pipistrelle can eat up to 3,000 insects in a night. Due to protection and the implementation of conservation practices, populations have started showing signs of recovery in recent years.
Explore more about bats here: Bat FAQs
According to Ecology by Design director Ben Gardner:
“The most common bat in the UK, the Pipistrelle, saw a worrying decline in the number of species… A 70% decline meant something needed to be done, so in 1981, Pipistrelle bats were protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
…We need to keep doing what we’re doing and looking after the bats. Simply hanging a bat box up high in your garden or planting plants that attract insects will help the bats find something to eat.”
Birds - Starling
Starling numbers have declined markedly across much of northern Europe and the UK. You may notice these birds in the winter, flocking in a mesmerizing murmuration before they drop into their roosts. While starlings appear black at a distance, close up they have glossy green and purple iridescent plumage. In the breeding season, adults have yellow bills with different colour bases depending on their sex; in males, this is blue and in females pink. Their winter plumage is duller with white spots and the bill is dark. Juveniles are dull brown in colour, often with a pale throat.
Starling decline in the UK started during the early 1980s and has continued ever since. Recent data from Birds of Conservation Concern suggests continuing population declines have affected starlings in England and Wales since 1995. The cause of the Starling decline in the UK is unknown.
According to director Ben Gardner:
“The Starling, one of the UK’s most common garden birds, has declined across northern Europe and the UK. Since 1995, the UK’s Starling population has declined a lot with the cause unknown. There are thoughts the decline could be caused by a food supply issue with the likes of earthworms declining or becoming less available in dry weather.
To help with their food supply, you can simply provide dried mealworms and suet balls to allow them to get the nutrition they need.”
Click here to explore our breeding bird surveys
Hazel Dormouse
Another important endangered species is the Hazel Dormouse. Interestingly enough, hazel dormice are not actually mice! This tiny little nocturnal mammal is more closely related to squirrels and beavers and is recognised by its soft caramel-coloured fur and furry tail.
Unfortunately, these endangered British animals are already extinct in 17 counties in England. Hazel dormice have declined in Britain by over 50% since the year 2000.
According to director Ben Gardner:
“The hazel dormouse has seen a population plummet within the last 25 years falling by 72%. The decline rate is worrying as the hazel dormouse plays a vital role within the food chain. If the hazel dormouse goes extinct, then it puts many other species at risk of extinction including owls, weasels, cats, grey squirrels and through the winter whilst they are hibernating, badgers and wild boars.
A big factor in the population decline is the fact these animals are slow breeders. A reintroduction programme has been introduced and has actually slowed down the decline rate which is great news!”
Great Crested Newt
Individual great crested newts can be identified by looking at their bellies as the pattern of black spots they each sport is as unique as a fingerprint. As well as their distinctive crests, males have an extravagant courtship display to woo females: they stand on their front legs, arch their back and wave their tail around as if they are dancing.
These endangered British animals have declined dramatically in the last 40 years and although still widespread across lowland England they are now uncommon. Despite protection under UK and European wildlife law, numbers are still declining overall, and deterioration of habitat remains their biggest threat.
Ben Gardner says:
“Although widespread across lowland England, the population of the Great Crested Newt has declined dramatically in the last 40 years. What once was a common newt, is now uncommon to see one. In 2010, the Great Crested Newt became protected by the Conservation of Habitats and Species regulations as well as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Despite work to protect this species, overall numbers are still declining and their habitats are deteriorating which is the biggest threat to this species going extinct.
The way we can look after newts is by adding a pond to your garden to welcome them in. Do not add fish to this pond, however, as they will feed on any eggs laid by the newts.”
Adders
Adders are snakes around 60cm in length and are known for their famous dance. These snakes will entwine themselves around each other and energetically wrestle. It is often assumed to be a courtship ritual but is actually a duel between territorial males.
This snake species could all but disappear from the UK countryside by 2032, according to new research conducted with the help of citizen scientists. The findings, published in The Herpetological Journal, are the culmination of 11 years of nationwide monitoring and showed that 90% of adder populations surveyed were declining. Experts warn that, if these trends continue, within just 10-20 years adders could be restricted to just a handful of sites in the UK.
According to Ben Gardner:
“The Adder is fully protected by law in a movement to try and protect the species. 90% of the adder population has declined over the 11 years of nationwide monitoring. If this trend continues, then the adders will almost be extinct in just 10-20 years leaving only a handful of adders in parts of the UK. Habitat loss seems to be the leading cause of this decline with them being destroyed by agricultural works.
As adders are venomous, we recommend you stay clear of them. However, the Add an Adder project is asking for information on where and when adders have been spotted so they can fully build a picture of the adder situation.”
The Smooth Snake
Smooth Snakes grow from 60-70cm in length and are often mistaken for an adder. However, they are non-venomous, can be distinguished by their slender build and round head, and are protected by British and European law.
The Smooth Snake is the UK’s rarest reptile, and as not many people see it, it makes it hard for us to know how to help it survive as its habitats are under threat. In 2019, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust launched a project called ‘Snakes in the Heather which was backed with £412,000 from the National Lottery.
Ben Gardner said:
“As smooth snakes like to hide, it is hard to tell exactly how many there are left, but with the protection law and volunteers looking to conserve their habitats, we could look to see an increase in their numbers gradually over time. They are commonly found in places such as Dorset and even Surrey so it’s always best to keep an eye out when out and about in the areas as they are a rarity in their own rights.”
Otters
Otters are found in 13 different species around the world and are known to hold paws whilst they sleep in groups (known as ‘rafts’ so they don’t drift away from each other). They are classified as ‘Near Threatened’ and are fully protected in the UKunder Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The otter population has increased over the last 25 years and continues to do so with the current Great Britain population estimated at 10,300. You should still be aware of their presence as their habitats are still heavily protected in the UK.
See our otter survey services here.
Ben Gardner said:
“It is great to see that the otter population is increasing rather than declining. Whilst you may not see many otters about, it doesn’t mean they don’t exist. They are very shy and you are more likely to see evidence of an otter rather than the otter itself as they leave distinct droppings and raise their young in underground dens.”
Water Vole
Water Voles are regularly mistaken for rats, however, they are a vital part of river ecosystems. These endangered British animals need to eat 80% of their body weight every day and eat over 200 species of plants. Their burrowing and feeding create a thriving condition for other animals and plants to exist in.
Unfortunately, they are seriously under threat and their numbers are rapidly declining, making them one of the most threatened mammals in the UK. This is largely due to predation by the American mink and habitat loss. The current population is estimated at 875,000 and has been increasingly on the decline for the past 10 years.
Director Ben Gardner said:
“Water voles are a vital part of the river ecosystems as they create livable conditions for other plants and animals.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes to stop the extinction of these animals, there are lots of ways in which you can help protect them, whether it is donating to a water vole charity, volunteering and generally looking out around rivers and streams to ensure you are not disturbing them in their natural habitats.”
Hedgehog
Hedgehogs have 5,000 to 7,000 spines on their back. Each spine will last a year and then drop off before growing a new one. They are called hedgehogs because they build nests in hedges and make similar snorting noises to pigs. Milk should never be left out for a hedgehog - they are lactose intolerant. It’s best just to leave water out.
In 1950, there were an estimated 36 million hedgehogs in the UK, in more recent years it is now said that there are only around one million left with numbers falling by 97%. Most commonly, the decline in their population is due to roadkill, with over 100,000 hedgehogs killed on the road every year.
Ben Gardner said:
“Hedgehogs are animals that we need to keep safe, but they are often killed on the roads which people need to be more aware of. They hibernate through the winter so will tend to make nests in bushes to keep safe.
Ensure you are checking bonfires through firework season in November, and also remember that hedgehogs are nocturnal and tend to only come out at night. So taking caution on the road in the evenings is key so you have enough time to slow down and allow them to cross.”
Red Squirrel
Red Squirrels are actually not always the colour red. They can be white, black or brown. Baby red squirrels are called kittens, and they can live up to the age of six. They also can swim and hang upside down.
With an estimated population of 140,000, the Red Squirrel has been on the decline since the early 20th century. This is mainly due to the loss of woodland for their habitats, predators and roadkill by vehicles. Another species, the Grey Squirrel is also pushing the Red Squirrel to extinction as they carry a disease called Parapoxvirus. This disease can be deadly.
Ecology by Design director Ben Gardner said:
“It is such a shame that grey squirrels carry a disease that is slowly but surely reducing the numbers of red squirrels and spotting one over a grey squirrel is very much a rarity these days.
For years, The Wildlife Trust has been doing all they can to ensure grey squirrels are in separate habitats to red ones but despite this, numbers are still declining and we could see the extinction of red squirrels in less than 10 years.”
To find out more about endangered species and to see if you may be in need of an ecological service, see our guide, Do I need an Ecological Survey?
If you have any questions, contact our experienced team today or discover our range of services here.