Written by Rachel Coyle, Project Officer
17th May is Endangered Species Day. This gives us an opportunity to shed some light on species that are facing decline.
The smooth snake is one of only three native snake species in the UK. Unfortunately, it’s numbers are drastically reducing, and it is now considered one of Britain’s rarest animals.
Smooth snakes face threats from predators including birds of prey, foxes, badgers, and weasels. However, the main threat is a result of habitat loss.
This species can only be found on some lowland heaths in Southern England. Heathland is typically made up of heathers, wildflowers and grasses which can survive the acidic soil. The landscape provides smooth snakes with warmth, cover, and a rich food supply.
Lowland heath size has been drastically reduced due to pressure from housing development and construction. Fires, farming, and an increase of human use for leisure activities have also impacted the habitat. As the habitat decreases in size, the smooth snake has decreased in numbers.
Unfortunately, smooth snakes are not a particularly mobile species and, even when close but fragmented sites have good populations, they do not re-colonise well.
The survival of the smooth snake depends on whether their habitats can be preserved. Reassuringly, some southern lowland heaths have become areas of preservation. A few areas have been designated as special nature reserves which are now carefully managed. The heathland requires human intervention to stop it developing into woodland and losing the vital characteristics smooth snakes rely on.
Species reintroduction has also been documented in Devon. Although, the key to successful reintroduction of smooth snakes will rely on the quality of the heaths themselves.
It is hoped that ongoing interventions will ensure the survival of this shy reptile and we will see an increase in smooth snake numbers.