Until 1859, smooth snakes \u2013 Coronella austriaca<\/em> \u2013 were not recognised as a species, but a specimen studied by Dr JE Gray was determined not to be a grass snake variant as previously believed.<\/p>\n

In this guide we take a closer look at smooth snakes in the UK, revealing information on how to identify them, where they live and what they eat.<\/p>\n

Reptiles of the British Isles\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Discover the fascinating world of snakes, lizards and slow worms with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guide to Britain\u2019s six native reptiles.<\/p>\n
Reptile guide: snakes, lizards and slow worms<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>

$\""Sand\"$ <\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
What does a smooth snake look like?<\/h2>\n
They are small, slender snakes<\/a>, rarely measuring more than 70 cm in length, and are brown or grey in colour with darker, broken bars along the back.<\/p>\n
The scales are smooth (hence the common name) unlike the keeled scales of our other snakes, and the eye is small with a round pupil. There is a distinctive, heart-shaped crown on the head from which it gets the Latin name Coronella.<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>

Reptiles of the British Isles\u00a0<\/h4>\nDiscover the fascinating world of snakes, lizards and slow worms with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guide to Britain\u2019s six native reptiles.<\/p>\n

Smooth snake distribution<\/h2>\nOur rarest reptile, the smooth snake is restricted to the heaths of Surrey, Dorset and the New Forest, with one or two reintroduction programmes hopefully extending that range.<\/p>\n

Smooth snake distribution<\/h2>\n
Our rarest reptile, the smooth snake is restricted to the heaths of Surrey, Dorset and the New Forest, with one or two reintroduction programmes hopefully extending that range.<\/p>\n