Smooth snake

species of reptile

The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca).[3] is found in Britain, where it lives only in southern heathlands.

Smooth snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Coronella
Species:
C. austriaca
Binomial name
Coronella austriaca
Range of C. austriaca

It is a non-venomous colubrid species found in northern and central Europe, and as far east as northern Iran. In contrast to many other snakes, their scales are flat (not keeled). This gives the snake a smooth texture to the touch, from which it gets its common name.

The smooth snake feeds on smaller animals, especially other reptiles. It subdues larger prey by constriction, although unlike true constrictors it does not actually kill by this method.[4] It reproduces by laying eggs, which are buried in sand in a warm place.

References

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  1. Crnobrnja-Isailović J et al. (2017). "Coronella austriaca ". The IUCN Red list of Threatened Species 2017. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/157284/748852
  2. Species Coronella austriaca at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.
  3. Street D. 1979. The reptiles of northern and central Europe. London: B.T. Batsford. 268 pp. ISBN 0-7134-1374-3.
  4. "Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group smooth snake page". Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2015-03-10.