Such is their deceptive nature that smooth snakes are gently studied.
In this guide we take a closer take a look at smooth snakes in the UK, exposing details on how to recognize them, where they live and what they consume.
Intrigued in finding out more about British wildlife? Have a look at our guides to snakes, frogs and toads, and deer.
Reptiles of the British Isles
Discover the remarkable world of snakes, lizards and sluggish worms with BBC Countryfile Publication’s guide to Britain’s 6 native reptiles.
What does a smooth snake appear like?
They are little, slim snakes, seldom determining more than 70 cm in length, and are brown or grey in colour with darker, damaged bars along the back.
The scales are smooth (for this reason the typical name) unlike the keeled scales of our other snakes, and the eye is little with a round student. There is a distinct, heart-shaped crown on the head from which it gets the Latin name Coronella.
Smooth snake circulation
Our rarest reptile, the smooth snake is limited to the heaths of Surrey, Dorset and the New Forest, with a couple of reintroduction programs ideally extending that variety.
Smooth snake diet plan
The smooth snake hunts other reptiles, which it assails. The sand lizard is frequently preyed upon by the smooth snake which takes its victim and after that restricts it in tight coils.
It has little teeth that can cause a moderate scratch-like bite on people however there is no venom and no threat.
Smooth snake environment
Smooth snakes invest much of their life under ground, raising their blood temperature level through contact with their environments instead of straight from the sun. This behaviour suggests they are frequently drawn to synthetic refugia, such as corrugated iron sheets, which enables population tracking. It is, nevertheless, unlawful to intentionally disrupt a smooth snake.
They are managed comparable defense as the sand lizard, with both types happening along with one another.
Smooth snakes are more tolerant of heat than our other native snakes, and may be seen outdoors on warm, bright days. A peaceful walk around a southern heath may provide a peek of a smooth snake, although an arranged walk with a registered guide may be a much better bet. The ARC are running the ‘Snakes in the Heather’ plan to raise public awareness of the smooth snake.
