CORONELLA 201 



The ascertained altitudinal range is 4,000 feet in 

 the Alps, 6,000 feet in Bosnia, and 6,500 feet in the 

 Caucasus. 



Habits. — The Smooth Snake lives on heathland, 

 stony wastes, and wooded hills, showing a preference 

 for dry localities. Although not infrequent on the 

 Dorsetshire and Hampshire heaths, where it was first 

 discovered in 1853, it was not recorded as a British 

 reptile until 1859 ; it was discovered much later on 

 the sandy heaths between Haslemere and Farnham, 

 where it occurs in small numbers, and in Berkshire. 

 These localities are likewise inhabited by the rarer 

 British lizard, the Sand Lizard. Notwithstanding 

 its gentle, timid appearance, this snake when fresh 

 caught is usually very ready to bite; either it snaps 

 angrily, or, without hissing or other warning, it 

 suddenly fastens its jaws into the finger of its 

 captor, even if it be gently handled. The food 

 consists mostly of lizards, occasionally of slow- 

 worms or small snakes, more rarely of voles or 

 mice, even shrews, which are seized, constrictor-like, 

 and crushed by the coils of the body. O. von 

 Tomasini has observed one swallowing a Coluber 

 longissimus as large as itself. 



In Central Europe this snake becomes active 

 towards the end of March or beginning of April, and 

 retires in September or October. It does well in 

 captivity, and becomes very tame. It is one of the 

 most intelligent of snakes, second to none in edu- 



