The relative performance of smooth snakes inhabiting open heathland and conifer plantations

•Heathland and plantations supported similar relative densities of Smooth snakes.•Smooth snakes grew faster and produced more young in heathland than in plantations.•Smooth snake body condition in plantations declined as canopy cover increased.•Smooth snake immigration to plantations declined as canopy cover increased.•Plantation carrying capacity for Smooth snakes declined as canopy cover increased.