A small, slim European colubrid with mirror-smooth scales, scarce and protected across most of its northern range.
Description
The smooth snake is a slim grey or brown colubrid under 70 cm, with a row of small dark spots down the back, a dark mask through the eye, and smooth, polished scales — the trait from which it takes its name. Adults look somewhat like a slender adder, leading to frequent misidentification.
Behavior
A slow-moving daytime hunter, the smooth snake preys mostly on sand lizards and slow worms, killing them by constriction. Females retain eggs internally and give birth to live young. The species is shy and rarely bites, often staying motionless if discovered.
Range
Distributed across most of Europe from southern Britain east to Russia and south to Italy and Greece, mostly in warm dry habitats. Populations in the UK are restricted to a few southern heaths and the species is fully protected by law.