# Smooth Snake (*Coronella austriaca*) The Smooth Snake is a shy and gentle snake that prefers to hide in tall grass! They are not dangerous at all. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands and forests - **Also known as:** Austrian Smooth Snake, Coronella Snake ![Smooth Snake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425896/objects/5601.jpg) ## Appearance The Smooth Snake is a slender reptile, typically grey-brown to reddish-brown, often featuring two subtle rows of dark spots along its back. It has smooth, non-keeled scales and a dark stripe running from its nostril through the eye, distinguishing it from adders. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Reptilia - **Order:** Squamata - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Coronella ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, it's not actually slimy but has very smooth scales! - If caught, they might release a smelly musk to surprise and deter predators. - Instead of laying eggs, mother Smooth Snakes give birth to live baby snakes! - They can flatten their head when threatened, making themselves look bigger! ## Special abilities - **Constricting Power:** Smooth Snake can overpower prey by wrapping tightly around them, which helps them secure and swallow their meal. - **Viper Lookalike:** Smooth Snake has a patterned body that helps them mimic venomous adders, scaring away potential predators. - **Secretive Stalker:** Smooth Snake can stay hidden with its excellent camouflage, which helps them ambush unsuspecting lizards. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50-90 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-15 ## Diet & Feeding This snake is a carnivore, mostly eating lizards and small rodents. - **Primary Foods:** Lizards, Volés, Shrews, Other small snakes - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Sand Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sand-lizard) (*Lacerta agilis*) — Primary prey in many areas. - **Hunts:** [Field Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-vole) (*Microtus agrestis*) — Preys on these small rodents. - **Eaten by:** [Common Buzzard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-buzzard) (*Buteo buteo*) — Sometimes caught by large birds of prey. - **Eaten by:** [European Hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Hedgehogs may prey on young or smaller snakes. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Smooth Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Smooth Snake? 50-90 cm ### How much does Smooth Snake weigh? 0.05-0.2 kg ### How long does Smooth Snake live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Smooth Snake move? 1.5 km/h ### What does Smooth Snake eat? This snake is a carnivore, mostly eating lizards and small rodents. ### Where is Smooth Snake usually found? Grasslands and forests ### How does Smooth Snake hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Lesní koutek Ralsko - Mini ZOO](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lesn-koutek-ralsko-mini-zoo) — Liberec Region, CZ · Zoo - [Geo-Naturpark Bergstraße-Odenwald](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bergstrasse-odenwald-geo-nature-park) — Hessen; Baden-Württemberg; Bayern, DE · Park ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Smooth Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smooth-snake)