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Smooth snake
Coronella austriaca
52.0409, 5.69154
Field Notes
Description:
Smooth snakes are grey or brown with two rows of darkish spots on their backs, and they have flat scales hence the common name. Smooth snakes are very slim creatures compared with adders or grass snakes of the same length. The adult males can grow to a length of 60cm, while females are slightly larger. The eye of a smooth snake has a distinctive round golden iris, while the head, which bears a darker brown or almost black crown, has dark brown eye stripes.
Habitat:
The smooth snake is dependent on well managed heathland, where it is mainly found in mature vegetation that provides good cover. On these sites it can use a range of habitats, from dry slopes to humid and wet heath areas.
Notes:
The smooth snake is one of three species of snakes endemic to the Netherlands. All three species of snakes are quite elusive so I was thrilled to catch a smooth snake basking on a footpath while I was walking from restaurant to parking lot. And as luck would have it I was able to take a photo with my phone before it shot off into the shrubs. Spotted at a parking lot in the outskirts of Ede near heathland, Holland. (sources:see reference)
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