Smooth snakes are the rarest of our native UK reptiles, mostly found in heathland habitats in parts of Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex. They are very elusive and secretive, so you need to watch closely to spot this species! Look out for their distinctive facial markings, including a dark stripe along the side of the head and through the eye, and a heart-shaped crown on the top of the head.
Smooth snakes, like other reptiles, will have been busy feeding up during the autumn months. Their diet mostly consists of lizards and rodents which they kill through restriction. As the weather is now getting colder they will be looking to find a warm, safe place to overwinter. Smooth snakes overwinter communally in groups. This strategy can be very beneficial, particularly for juveniles, to help them conserve heat during the coldest months. Overwintering in groups can also be a safer option if the site is discovered by predators.
