HerpVet Services

11/04/2025

Not only does buying wild-caught, native or online create a huge risk of spreading invasive species and amphibian disease, but it is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Help us with our campaign- more info here: https://ow.ly/konv50VoPs0

20/02/2025

An important consideration for all keepers. A subject that the 'reptile industry' carefully avoids. This is an upfdated version of an article that we originally published several years ago. by A. C. HighfieldIntroductionThis article is a summary of research that has been conducted over many years. T...

03/02/2025

Research News! Our article about the diet and predator-prey interactions of the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) is out now. Since the Smooth Snake is a known snake and viper predator, it was suspected that it could threaten populations of the endangered Hungarian Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis). However, as our research reveals, the Smooth Snake mainly consumes lizards, small mammals and Orthopterans in Meadow Viper habitats, while it occassionally also preys on its conspecifics. Our study also highlights, how prey availability impacts the habitat selection of the Smooth Snake, as we found an interaction between the occupancy of the Smooth Snake and that of its lizard prey.
The paper is available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42974-025-00234-9

25/01/2025

In response to the increased avian influenza risk, an Prevention Zone is now in force across England and Scotland.

This means it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in England and Scotland to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their birds, in addition to following any Protection/Surveillance Zone restrictions that apply.

See the latest press releases for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-for-whole-of-england
https://www.gov.scot/news/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-2/

Please also see the biosecurity guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading
and GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/bird-flu for more information.

21/01/2025

In this video, the Surrey Poultry Vet explains how you can report suspicion of bird flu.

21/01/2025

Avian Influenza has been confirmed near Wem, North Shropshire, Shropshire.

If you fall within the 3km Protection or 10km Surveillance Zones, please ensure you’ve registered your birds & your details are up-to-date so we can tell you about bird flu risks.

See GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/bird-flu & GOV.WALES: https://www.gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu for info.

06/01/2025

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is believed to have invaded Europe from Asia via the amphibian pet trade and has severely damaged the salamander populations there. While several studies have shown that members of the genus Salamandra are highly susceptible to Bsal, few studies have surveyed for the disease broadly. A study by Böning et al (2024) sampled Alpine salamanders (Salamandra atra and S. lanzai) in the mountains of the Alps in Europe. Ecological modelling shows that the Alps and Dinarides mountains, where Alpine salamanders occur, are generally suitable for Bsal, but this study found no evidence of Bsal. They analyzed skin swabs of 818 individuals of Alpine salamanders and co-occurring amphibians at 40 sites between 2017 to 2022. In addition, the study also includes data previously collected from 319 individuals from 13 additional sites, all of them found no Bsal infections. Their study suggests that the salamander plague so far is absent from the geographic ranges of Alpine salamanders. Thus, there is still a chance to implement surveillance and conservation strategies that could help thwart the effects of Bsal on native salamanders in the European Alps and Dinarides mountains.

Link to Species of the Week: https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Salamandra&where-species=atra

Leer en Español: https://bioweb.bio/faunaweb/amphibiaweb/Noticias

Link to Böning et al. 2024: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298591

31/12/2024

Weather warnings are in place this week for large parts of the UK which can worsen spread.

Where birds are housed, block up holes to keep out, ensure tarpaulin is well secured & strengthen weak areas on house roofs. Check for blockage drainage & clean & disinfect areas exposed to excess water.

Wild birds may move to different areas to avoid adverse weather. Make your premises unattractive to wild birds. Use bird scarers, foils or streamers.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stop-it-spreading

23/12/2024

Housing measures to protect poultry & captive birds from are now in force across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

This means it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in these areas to house their birds, or where this is not practical, to take steps to separate them from wild birds. Keeping your birds undercover away from wild birds is vital to minimise the risk of them becoming infected with avian influenza by wild birds. But housing alone is not the only solution – it remains essential that you follow strict biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of disease spreading to your birds. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-measures-introduced-in-the-north-east-and-east-to-protect-poultry-and-other-captive-birds

23/12/2024

Some people move plants and animals to or from their garden ponds. Translocations by garden pond owners might contribute to the spread of pathogens and species, but generally go undocumented. We therefore conducted an online survey targeting Dutch garden pond owners through various relevant communic...

21/12/2024