A new venomous British snake? Why there’s no need to panic

The Conversation · 🇦🇺 public Australia · Sep 24, 2026 · 755 words · By Wolfgang Wüster

Scientific Classification Herpetology Wildlife Conservation

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What to know about Scientific Classification

The article discusses a new scientific paper suggesting that the smooth snake, a rare British species, should be classified as venomous. It explains that venomousness exists on a spectrum and clarifies that being technically venomous does not make the snake dangerous to humans.

Propaganda risk 10%

Claims checked 14

Techniques found 1

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center83%

Right17%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Great Britain has always been thought to be home to a single venomous snake species, the adder.

Why it matters

Although its bites are rarely life-threatening, they will require a trip to A&E and more than likely ruin your week.

Common ground

On the other hand, the other two native British snakes, the grass and smooth snakes, have been largely considered non-venomous.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Scientific Classification story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Due to its rarity and status as a European Protected Species, it benefits from extensive conservation measures?
How does this story connect Scientific Classification with Herpetology over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://theconversation.com/a-new-venomous-british-snake-why-theres-no-need-to-p…

analyticsAnalysis

10%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 95%

Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 70% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 6

schedule Pending 4

verified Verified By Reference 2

info Single Source 2

verified

Claim 1: “Due to its rarity and status as a European Protected Species, it benefits from extensive conservation measures”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia confirms the definition of European Protected Species (EPS) as species protected by law throughout the EU under the Habitats Directive, which aligns with the claim's status for the snake.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An endangered species is a species having a very high risk of extinction in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular region. Species become endangered mainly due to habitat depletion and l…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_species

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — European Protected Species (EPS) are species of plants and animals (other than birds) protected by law throughout the European Union. They are listed in Annexes II and IV of the European Habitats Dire…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Protected_Species

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The endangered species of China may include any wildlife species designated for protection by the national government of China or listed as endangered by international organizations such as the Conven…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_and_protect…

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Claim 2: “where it is listed as endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The claim is explicitly stated in one source ('A new venomous British snake? Why there’s no need to panic'), but the other search results for this claim were irrelevant business listings.

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web search NEUTRAL — Find A Smooth Move in Neston, CH64. Read 54 reviews, get contact details, photos, opening times and map directions. Search for Domestic Removals & Storage near you on Yell.
https://www.yell.com/biz/a-smooth-move-neston-6478314/

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web search NEUTRAL — Find Silversmooth Systems Ltd in London, NW11. Get contact details, videos, photos, opening times and map directions. Search for local Electrical Components & Wiring near you on Yell.
https://www.yell.com/biz/silversmooth-systems-ltd-london-900…

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web search NEUTRAL — Find Smooth Finish Plastering in Bury, BL8. Read 7 reviews, get contact details, photos, opening times and map directions. Search for Plasterers near you on Yell.
https://www.yell.com/biz/smooth-finish-plastering-bury-62187…

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Claim 3: “As Britain’s smallest snake, it lives a discreet life.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent sources describe the smooth snake as Britain's smallest snake.

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web search NEUTRAL — To start, the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is by far the rarest British snake, being restricted to lowland heaths in southern England, where it is listed as endangered under International Union …
https://theconversation.com/a-new-venomous-british-snake-why…

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web search NEUTRAL — The smooth snake is the UK’s rarest snake – and in fact, the UK’s rarest reptile, restricted to sandy heaths in southern England. Like the adder, it’s a relatively small species compared to the grass …
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/reptiles/snake…

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web search NEUTRAL — The smooth snake is Britain’s rarest and smallest snake, living secretively on southern England’s lowland heaths and classified as endangered with active conservation efforts.
https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/smooth-snake-reclassified-as-veno…

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Claim 4: “Their last common ancestor, which probably lived around 65 million years ago, is thought to have already had small venom-producing glands (known as Duvernoy’s venom glands)”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 5: “a new paper by herpetologists Alessandro Paterna and Grégoire Meier suggesting that the smooth snake should be reclassified as venomous.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent web sources explicitly name Alessandro Paterna and Grégoire Meier as the researchers who published the paper in Zootaxa (2026) suggesting the smooth snake is venomous.

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web search NEUTRAL — The smooth snake is a species of small dimensions in the family Colubridae. The species is found in northern and central Europe, but also as far east as northern Iran. The Reptile Database recognizes …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_snake

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web search NEUTRAL — Publication details. ALESSANDRO PATERNA et al, Reclassification of the smooth snake. Analysis of the rear fangs, venom system, and the cephalic anatomy of Coronella austriaca (Serpentes: Colubridae), …
https://phys.org/news/2026-09-venomous-british-snake-panic.h…

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web search NEUTRAL — Researchers Alessandro Paterna and Grégoire Meier published findings on September 24, 2026, identifying the smooth snake as venomous due to its grooved rear teeth and venom glands.
https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/smooth-snake-reclassified-as-veno…

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Claim 6: “this also true of our native grass snake (Natrix helvetica). This snake likewise has venom glands and slightly modified, sheathed teeth”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is by far the rarest British snake, being restricted to lowland heaths in southern England”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is the rarest British snake and is restricted to lowland heaths in southern England.

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web search NEUTRAL — Coronella austriaca (European smooth snake) is wild and not domesticated. This secretive, ground-living colubrid lives in heathlands, open woodland edges, rocky slopes, and mixed sunny/dense habitats.
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/smooth-snake/

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web search NEUTRAL — Meet the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) – Britain’s rarest and most secretive reptile. This non-venomous constrictor is a heathland specialist, found only in a few scattered lowland heath sites in…
https://www.tiktok.com/@georgeecology/video/7534770432352783…

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Claim 8: “the other two native British snakes, the grass and smooth snakes, have been largely considered non-venomous.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm that the grass and smooth snakes are native to Britain and have been largely considered non-venomous until recent findings.

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web search NEUTRAL — Smooth snakes are native to Britain. Wolfgang Wüster, Author provided (no reuse). The same logic applies to the smooth snake, whose venom system evolved to subdue small prey, not larger animals like u…
https://theconversation.com/a-new-venomous-british-snake-why…

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web search NEUTRAL — Unlike the two other snake species native to the British Isles, the adder ( Viper berus ) and grass snake ( Natrix helvetica ), the smooth snake rarely basks in direct sunlight, preferring instead to …
https://www.countryfile.com/animals/smooth-snake-venomous

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Claim 9: “Its venom gland had been discovered over 100 years ago”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 10: “Almost every native spider is technically venomous”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 11: “Most of the 4,000 or so snake species alive today belong to a group known as the “advanced” snakes (Caenophidia).”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia confirms that Caenophidia is a clade containing over 80% of all extant snake species, which supports the claim that the majority of the ~4,000 species belong to this group.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Caenophidia are a derived clade of alethinophidian snakes, which contains over 80% of all the extant species of snakes. The largest family is Colubridae, but it also includes at least seven other …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caenophidia

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Squamata (, Latin squamatus, 'scaly, having scales') is the largest order of reptiles; most members are commonly known as lizards, with the group also including snakes. With over 11,991 species, it is…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squamata

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vipers ( VEYE-pər) are snakes in the family Viperidae ( veye-PERR-ih-day), found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, Ireland, and various other isolated i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viper

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Claim 12: “It feeds on lizards as well as occasionally other snakes or small mammals”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the smooth snake feeds on lizards, other snakes, and small mammals.

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web search NEUTRAL — On the other hand, the other two native British snakes, the grass and smooth snakes, have been largely considered non-venomous.It feeds on lizards as well as occasionally other snakes or small mammals…
https://www-popsci-com.nproxy.org/environment/a-new-venomous…

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web search NEUTRAL — This species feeds on lizards, juvenile snakes, and small mammals, subduing them by coiling around them. Instead of depending on a swift front-fanged strike, it may use a prolonged bite that helps wit…
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/smooth-snake-venom-br…

info

Claim 13: “The teeth at the back of its maxilla (the outer upper jaw) are somewhat grooved. They are surrounded by a sheath of gum tissue typical of so-called rear-fanged snakes”

SINGLE SOURCE

The web search results provided for this specific claim are irrelevant (plastering and removal services), providing no evidence regarding the snake's anatomy.

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Claim 14: “Great Britain has always been thought to be home to a single venomous snake species, the adder.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources (TikTok wildlife content, news articles) state that the adder is traditionally known as Britain's only venomous snake.

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web search NEUTRAL — The adder is Britain’s only venomous snake! #venomoussnake #wildlife.Adders are Scotland’s only native snake and Britain’s only venomous reptile. The walker was “feeling unwell”, and was taken to the …
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/venomous-snakes-in-the-uk

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web search NEUTRAL — Why do adders use venom? An adder strike is extremely fast but the snake releases its prey instantaneously. The idea is that the venom does the work of killing the prey while the snake avoids being ha…
https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/common-uk-adder

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web search NEUTRAL — Learn how to identify Britain’s native snakes and the slow worm in this simple wildlife guide. In this video, we look at the UK’s main snake species: the adder, grass snake, and smooth snake, plus the…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMVaLkLSEo

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.