Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus
A slender, bright green colubrid with keeled scales, common in shrubs and vegetation near water across the southeastern US.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-1.0 m (1.6-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Southeastern and south-central United States
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Overview
The rough green snake is a slender, brightly colored colubrid distributed across the southeastern and south-central United States, well camouflaged among leafy vegetation. Its 'rough' name refers to its keeled dorsal scales, distinguishing it from the smooth-scaled smooth green snake.
Gentle and non-aggressive, it is a familiar and harmless snake often found gliding through vines and shrubs near ponds, streams, and woodland edges.
How to identify it
- Bright, uniform grass-green upperparts fading to pale yellow or whitish underside
- Keeled (ridged) dorsal scales giving a slightly rough texture
- Slender, elongated body with a narrow head barely distinct from the neck
- Large eyes with round pupils
- Distinguished from the smooth green snake by keeled scales and generally larger size
Habitat & range
Common in shrubs, vines, and low tree branches near streams, ponds, and forest edges across the southeastern and south-central United States, favoring moist, vegetated habitats.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal and highly arboreal, moving deliberately through vegetation while hunting insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Extremely docile, relying on camouflage rather than aggression when threatened. Egg-laying, with small clutches laid in moist, hidden sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rough green snake venomous?
No, it is entirely non-venomous and harmless.
How is it different from the smooth green snake?
It has keeled, ridged scales, whereas the smooth green snake has smooth scales, and it tends to be more arboreal.
What does it eat?
Insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates found in vegetation.
Is it commonly seen by people?
Yes, it is a familiar, harmless snake in gardens and vegetation near water in its range.
Rough Green Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Rough Green Snake.
Rough Green Snake identified by the community
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