British Snakes - The Smooth Snake The smooth snake is confined to the Southern Counties of England as it generally feeds on lizards that are unable to live further north. The rare sightings of the Smooth snake are not helped by the fact that it is easily mistaken with the adder snake at a glance, although it does not have the same distinct solid zigzag appearance on its back. The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), came into force on the 1st June 1982.It has now been signed by the 39 member states of the Council of Europe, together with the European Union, Monaco, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal.Male Grass snakes measure up to 90 centimetres in length, female Grass snakes are slightly larger measuring 130 – 190 centimetres. In the UK, Smooth snakes usually emerge from hibernation towards the end of March, the males emerging earlier than the females. An Adders usual approach is to use its amazing camouflage to avoid being spotted or to disappear into the bushes and undergrowth quickly if they feel the vibrations of a threat approaching. Only those that are susceptible to anaphylactic shock (hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other mammals) are at major risk. There is also a row of dark spots running along each of the flanks. Females are slightly larger than males, however, they have shorter tails and are usually uniform silver grey, with distinct spots.The male Smooth snakes colour pattern consists of a brown, grey, reddish colour with two rows of small, dark spots running down the back towards the tail. Therefore, they may be found on the banks of streams, lakes and ponds.Although adders have a very wide range of habitats, they tend to prefer open grounds such as moors and grasslands as prey is often abundant. The young snakes, measuring around 14 to 23 centimetres, are born with a fully functional venom apparatus and a reserve supply of yolk within their bodies. Grass snakes vary in colour but are usually olive-green, however, grey or brown is not unusual. The tongue of the Smooth snake is reddish brown or dark red.The Smooth snake is so named because it lacks the central keels, or ridges on its scales, unlike our native Adder and Grass snake. The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission.These wild, open landscapes stretch over large areas and are most often found in uplands. Sometimes, slow worms are taken and even weasels and moles. Smooth Snake Conservation Status Grass snakes have a characteristic orange or yellow collar around their necks. Adders are found in a variety of habitats, including chalky downs, rocky hillsides, moors, sandy heaths, meadows, rough commons, edges of woods, sunny glades and clearings, bushy slopes and hedgerows, dumps, coastal dunes and stone quarries. These spots that run the length of the body overlay four parallel, rather shadowy stripes that also run down the back and flanks.The head of the Smooth snake is somewhat heart-shaped. Young adders will eat nestling mammals, small amphibians such as frogs, as well as insects, worms and spiders. While the adder is thought to have claimed the lives of around 10 people within the last 100 years or so, modern knowledge about snake bites and good access to medical care have greatly reduced the threat they pose to life. Mid-Spring is a good time to observe Smooth snakes as the males will be looking for mates and may be active during the day, occasionally fighting to secure the rights to a female.Like the other British snakes, the smooth snake hibernates between October to early Spring, often huddling together with other snakes. The Smooth Snake has a restricted distribution in the UK. Occasionally, adders can be completely black.Female adders are generally lighter in colour with a dark brown zigzag although it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference.The head of an adder snake is fairly large and distinct, the sides of which are almost flat and vertical. Early Springtime is an ideal time to see these creatures particularly if the weather is warm as male adders will be searching for a mate and they can often be seen basking on rocks in the sunshine.The adder snake is mainly a diurnal species, especially in the north of its range. Further south it is said to be active in the evening and it may even be active at night during the summer months. Once they reach about 30 centimetres in length, their diet begins to resemble that of the adults.Sufficient and suitable habitats are very important requirements for the presence of the adder, in order to support their various behaviours, basking, foraging and hibernation, as well as to offer some protection from predators and human harassment. To see a Grass snake you have to be very patient and very quiet around their natural habitat. The stronghold of the British animals is the heathlands of Dorset, although many of the heaths along the Surrey/Hampshire borders also support strong populations.In Surrey, the Smooth snake shows a marked preference for dry lowland heathland, comprising mosaic mature heather with a deep moss sub-structure to the vegetative layer.Smooth snakes feed mostly on lizards and other reptiles, including small snakes such as young adders and grass snakes. Birds are also reported to be on the menu, especially nestlings and even eggs, for which they will climb into shrubbery and bushes. Some Smooth snake have reached an age of almost 30 years in the wild, however, they usually live to the age of 25 years.UK specimens of the Smooth snake have been found to be unsuitable for captive breeding. Smooth snakes are smaller than most people imagine, usually only growing to … The smooth snake is one of three native snake species found in the UK, and is our rarest terrestrial reptile. Grass snakes are strong swimmers so can easily move through the water looking for prey, sometimes taking small fish or even the odd small mammal.If threatened, Grass snakes may lie still, pretending to be dead, however, they can rear up in mock attack, hissing. Smooth snakes use this method because they lack the venom to subdue prey with a solitary bite.The Smooth Snake is a non-venomous snake and is exceptionally rare. It is an offence to disturb these snakes in any way, Kill, harm or injure them, Cause damage to their habitat, sell or trade them in any way.