Rare snake brought back to heaths

A rare species of snake is to be reintroduced in Devon after an absence of 50 years, conservationists said.

Smooth snakes are to be released at an RSPB nature reserve over several years.

The non-venomous and secretive reptile was last recorded in the county in the 1950s. It disappeared after the loss of its natural habitat.

The project involves Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, the RSPB and Natural England.

The snakes are currently only found on lowland heaths in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset.

With this re-introduction, all we do is give the animals a helping hand Nick Moulton, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

But with restoration of suitable heathland habitat in Devon over the past two decades, wildlife experts are hoping to return it to much of its former range.

The snakes will be taken from well-populated sites in Dorset.

Nick Moulton, of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, said the scheme marked the beginning of what is hoped will be a huge expansion of range for the reptile, whose survival was once "hanging on a knife-edge" in the UK.

He said: "Historically, much of the former heathland areas have been lost to many land use pressures and the remaining sites are often fragmented and isolated.

"The smooth snake is not very mobile and, in many cases, cannot naturally re-colonise isolated heath sites.

"With this re-introduction, all we do is give the animals a helping hand to cross these areas.

"The east Devon heaths are in a superb condition and very well-managed and we believe the re-introduction has every chance of success."

East Devon RSPB site manager Toby Taylor said the restoration of the heaths had led to a resurgence of other wildlife associated with the habitat, including Dartford warblers, nightjars and silver studded blue butterflies.

He said: "The return of the smooth snake will really complement this. It's the icing on the cake for us."

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