smooth snake
smooth snake, (Coronella austriaca), moderately abundant, nonvenomous snake occurring from western Europe to the Caucasus, belonging to the family Colubridae. It has smooth, glossy scales and is usually not more than 70 cm (28 inches) long.
It eats lizards, other small vertebrates, and insects. Mating occurs in April or May, and the female gives birth to 7β14 live young by August or September.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
smooth snake
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
11 January 2018
Access Date:
November 13, 2026