Smooth Snake
Coronella austriaca



This is our smallest snake.
It is completely harmless and it rarely reaches a length of 70 cm.
Its smooth scales distinguish it from the scales of water snakes and vipers which have a longitudinal ridge or keel on them.
The colour pattern varies from brownish to ash grey, often the males tend to be brown and the females grey.
A typical feature of this snake is the dark stripe which extends from the side of the neck, across the eye and up to the nostril. Usually there is a vaguely triangular dark spot present on the crown (the “coronet”).
This reptile has a preference for dry and warm environments.
It only settles in humid places if there is a pile of rocks, dry stone walls, emerging rocks or similar structures which give the reptile exposure to the sun in order to reach an optimum body temperature quickly.
The Smooth Snake can also live in pebbly river beds, along the banks of lakes and the edges of swamps and bogs and can also settle in habitats of human origin.
It is extremely reserved.
Other than its refuge it moves only to take shelter in the vegetation.
Its movements are so slow and cautious that it is difficult to hear it even when it is creeping through dry leaves.
If disturbed it remains completely still so it is virtually impossible to detect it.
It spends the hottest periods hidden in the grass or under a rock.
It feeds mainly on other reptiles, especially lizards and slow worms but rarely on juvenile snakes.
Depending on the habitat, the component of small mammals such as shrews and voles can vary.
The prey is wrapped in the snake’s coils and killed by constriction.