The female smooth snake gives birth to live young instead of eggs.

The smooth snake is among the most common species of continental Europe, but because they like to hide, they’re somewhat secretive and difficult to find. As a non-venomous snake, they are considered to be mostly harmless to humans, but they can deliver a painful bite if you’re not careful. This species should not be confused with the smooth green snake, which is an entirely separate species. The only thing similar about them is their name.

4 Smooth Snake Amazing Facts

• The mating season of the smooth snake usually takes place in the spring. The females incubate their eggs internally and give birth to live young in September. Anywhere between four and 15 snakes are born at a time.
• Smooth snakes may hibernate within deep burrows or dens of the earth during the cold winter months. From the spring to the fall, they come out during the day and bask in the sunlight to stay warm.
• The camouflage of the smooth snake helps it blend in with the earth and avoid predators. Pheasants, crows, red foxes, badgers, weasels, and birds of prey all pose a danger to this snake.
• The smooth snake senses odors in the air with an organ located on the roof of the mouth. When the snake flicks out its tongue, it is picking up scent molecules from the air.

Where to Find Smooth Snakes

The smooth snake can be found in grasslands, shrub lands, mixed woodlands, and rocky areas throughout most of mainland Europe and parts of Western Asia. They live as far north as the Baltic region and as far east as the Caspian Sea. This is one of three native snake species in the UK (United Kingdom), where it has become increasingly endangered. They spend a lot of time hidden under rocks, holes, vegetation, and leaf litters, only venturing out to hunt and bask in the sun.

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Scientific Name

The scientific name of the smooth snake is Coronella austriaca. Coronella is a Latin word meaning small crown; this is a reference to the black crown-like pattern on the head of the snake. Austriaca refers to the country of Austria (although their actual range is much larger). They are closely related to the southern smooth snake in the same genus.

Population & Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the smooth snake is a species of least concern. Population numbers are unknown, but they appear to be decreasing in some parts of their range. Habitat loss is thought to be the main culprit for their decline.

Appearance & Description

The smooth snake has a relatively short but stout body that reaches about 2 feet long on average, but they have been known to grow up to 3 feet in size as well. They can be identified by the brown, gray, or red skin color with two rows of small, irregularly shaped dark blotches running down the entire length of the body. In many specimens, these rows become fused around the head, forming what looks like a crown. Another thick dark stripe extends from the nostril to the neck area on each side of the head. Their skin is said to be smooth and flat to the touch.

Here is how to identify the smooth snake:

• Short but stout body measuring up to 3 feet in size
• Smooth skin
• Light brown, gray, or red skin color
• Two rows of dark shapes running along the back, sometimes forming the shape of a crown on the head
• Dark stripes extending from the nostrils to the neck

How Dangerous Are They?

The smooth snake does not have the ability to produce any venom. Although they can deliver a somewhat painful bite, they are considered to be fairly harmless to humans overall. If you do happen to be bitten by one, then you should wash the wound out with soap and water to prevent an infection. Medical care is rarely necessary unless the wound fails to heal properly.

Smooth Snake Behavior and Humans

The smooth snake is not very aggressive toward people at all. They would much rather run away and hide under vegetation or a rock than stand their ground and fight. Their main means of defense if a person or predator gets too close is to secrete a foul-smelling substance from the anal gland that can trigger nausea and sickness. This can make them very difficult to handle. The smooth snake is not easy to find and rarely sold as a pet even by specialty reptile stores. Some people may confuse this with smooth green snakes, which make much better pets and are generally easier to care for and handle. However, the smooth green snake is not closely related at all; in fact, it’s a native of North America rather than Europe.

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