(c) Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (www.arc-trust.org)

<i>Coronella austriaca</i> .Smooth Snake in an unusually open location
   
Coronella austriaca .Smooth Snake in an unusually open location
   
The Smooth Snake is by far our rarest snake, restricted exclusively to lowland heaths in the south of the UK. It is extremely shy and retiring and is consequently seldom seen or photographed. Occasionally mistaken for an Adder, the dorsal markings are quite different and the body and head are significantly slimmer. Unlike our other snakes it predates primarily on other reptiles, particularly lizards.