Smooth Snake

Coronella austriaca

Rare & localized in Dorset & Hampshire between April-September, also regular surveyed under licence.

The colour pattern consists of a brown, grey or reddish ground colour with two rows of small, rather indistinct dark spots running down the back towards the tail.

There is also a very indistinct series of dark spots running along each of the flanks.

These four series of spots along the body overlay four parallel, rather shadowy stripes that also run down the back and flanks.

On the top of the head is a dark marking which is often in the shape of a crown, giving rise to the generic name Coronella (which means coronet).