Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) The Smooth Snake is the UK’s rarest reptile and is only found on the heathlands of Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Their name comes from the fact the scales are smooth and flat, unlike the Grass Snake’s and Adder’s scales which have a ridge down the middle.
Similarly, What kind of snakes live in the UK?
In Britain there are three native species of snake: the adder, the grass snake and the smooth snake. Another animal that may be seen is the slow worm, which is actually a legless lizard – not a snake.
Additionally, Are smooth snakes rare? How rare are smooth snake? Smooth snakes are the UK’s rarest terrestrial reptile species with populations being restricted to sandy heaths in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey, although the snakes are widely distributed in Europe.
What is smooth snakes habitat?
The smooth snake is dependent on well managed heathland, where it is mainly found in mature vegetation that provides good cover. On these sites it can use a range of habitats, from dry slopes to humid and wet heath areas.
Is a slow worm the same as a smooth snake?
The slow worm is much smaller than a snake and has smooth, golden-grey skin. Males are paler in colour and sometimes sport blue spots, while females are larger, with dark sides and a dark stripe down the back.
Are there any poisonous snakes in the UK?
Only 3 types of snake are found in the wild in the UK. The adder is the only venomous snake, but you should get all snake bites checked as soon as possible. … Adders are grey or reddish-brown, with a dark zig-zag shaped stripe down their back.
What are the 4 species of snake in the UK?
Snakes
- Adder (Vipera berus) – widespread but declining across the UK and the only venomous species.
- Grass snake (Natrix helvetica) – widespread in England and Wales, including gardens.
- Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) – localised to southern English heaths.
Are there pythons in the UK?
There are thought to be about 2 million snakes kept as pets in the UK; corn snakes and royal pythons are the most popular species.
Is a smooth earth snake venomous?
The smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae) is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid snake native to the eastern half of the United States.
Do smooth snakes have fangs?
There are approximately 1,760 species of colubrids, and they account for about two-thirds of the world’s snakes. Most have solid and conical teeth; some have grooved teeth at the rear of the upper jaw and produce a venom that induces paralysis. A few have short, erect fangs in the front half of the mouth.
Can smooth snakes swim?
These snakes have a black and cream or white collar at the base of the head and are also proficient swimmers. Smooth snakes are very rarely encountered, confined to the heathlands of Dorset, Surrey and Hampshire.
Where are adders found?
Adders are found throughout much of England, Scotland and Wales (but absent from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), and throughout most of Europe. They are the most northerly found snake with a distribution into the Arctic Circle.
What do grass snakes eat?
What do grass snakes eat? Frogs, toads and newts are a grass snake’s favoured prey, but they will also take fish, small mammals and birds. With no venom, grass snakes rely on the element of surprise to hunt. A snake will strike out and grab its unsuspecting prey, swallowing it whole.
How do you identify a slow worm?
Slow-worms have a shiny appearance. Males are a greyish brown and females are brown with dark sides. Some females possess a thin line down the back. Juvenile slow-worms are very thin and are initially around 4cm long.
What to do if you find a slow worm in your garden?
They do not bite people and are completely harmless. Slow worms, are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to deliberately kill them. Should you happen upon a slow worm, the best thing to do is to leave it alone or cover it back over carefully.
Can I keep a slow worm as a pet?
Slow-worms are not at all suitable to keep as pets – as specialised reptiles they don’t take to captivity very well and are far better off in the wild, where they belong. … This makes it illegal to kill, injure, sell or trade wild slow-worms.
Are UK adders poisonous?
The adder is Britain’s only venomous snake. While the likelihood of being bitten by an adder is extremely small, some people and pets are bitten each year. An adder bite is very rare but when it does happen medical help should be sought immediately.
Do you get rattlesnakes in the UK?
Shy but full of surprises, the adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. It spends its days in woodland, soaking up the sun and swallowing its prey whole. While it’s more common than you might think, a loss of suitable habitat is threatening this unique species.
Where do Adders live in UK?
Where to find them. The adder is the most northerly member of the viper family and is found throughout Britain, from the south coast of England to the far north of Scotland. In Scandinavia its range even extends into the Arctic Circle.
How many British snakes are there?
There are three species of snake native to Britain plus a fourth, non-native species. Three of these are completely harmless – only the adder (Vipera berus), a native reptile, is venomous.
Does UK have water snakes?
The Grass snake (Natrix natrix), sometimes called the Ringed Snake or Water Snake, is the largest reptile in Britain. It is the larger of three British Snakes and can be found throughout the southern regions of Britain, generally in areas close to water where it can find its favourite food, frogs and toads.
Are there water snakes in England?
The Grass snake (Natrix natrix), sometimes called the Ringed Snake or Water Snake, is the largest reptile in Britain. It is the larger of three British Snakes and can be found throughout the southern regions of Britain, generally in areas close to water where it can find its favourite food, frogs and toads.
Do smooth earth snakes bite?
And the same goes for the Smooth Green Snake, the Smooth Earth Snake, and the Rough Earth Snake; these species never bite us. Obviously, snakes bite their prey. … And of course, biting is employed by some species as a defense against predators.
Can a worm snake bite you?
They are not dangerous beings and do not bite humans. They feed primarily on insects so when keeping them as a pet it’s essential they have access to proper dietary requirements in their environment. In this article, we will take a look at western worm snake facts as well as the eastern worm snake facts.
How big does a smooth earth snake get?
Description: The smooth earth snake is a small — 7-10 inches (18-25.4 cm) –- somewhat heavy-bodied, brown to gray snake with smooth scales and a pointed snout. Most individuals have small black spots scattered on the back and sides.