Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Opheodrys, Species: Opheodrys aestivus
Native to North America. Distributed throughout the Southeastern United States, from southern New Jersey south to Florida, and west to eastern Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Also found along the Gulf Coast of Mexico.
Look up Rough Green Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (aglyphous)
Danger Level
Harmless. This species is docile, rarely bites even when handled, and lacks venom or large teeth to cause injury to humans.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Opheodrys, Species: Opheodrys aestivus
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. However, populations are locally threatened by pesticides (which reduce their food supply), habitat destruction, and the pet trade.
Physical Description
Slender, bright green body with a white, yellowish, or pale green belly. The most diagnostic feature is its keeled scales (a ridge down the center of each scale), which gives it a rough texture. The head is slightly wider than the neck, with large eyes and round pupils. The tail is exceptionally long and tapering.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult, approximately 60-80 cm in length. The species typically ranges from 50 to 82 cm, with a maximum record of 116 cm.
Habitat
Typically arboreal, inhabiting moist meadows, woodlands near water, marshes, and the edges of lakes or streams. Found at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters. Often found in low-hanging vegetation overhanging water.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and predominantly arboreal. They are docile and rely on camouflage (resembling a vine or leaf) to avoid predators. When threatened, they may freeze or sway to mimic vegetation in the wind. They are active during the day and sleep coiled in bushes or trees at night.
Diet & Feeding
Insectivorous. They primarily feed on soft-bodied arthropods such as crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders. They are active hunters that use their keen eyesight to spot prey among the leaves.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 2 to 14 elongated, leathery eggs in early summer, often in hollow logs or under mulch. Eggs hatch in late summer. They may exhibit communal nesting.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis), which is smaller, has smooth scales (not keeled), and prefers terrestrial grassy habitats further north. It may also be confused with the Green Mamba (Dendroaspis spp.) by the uninformed, though they inhabit different continents.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. However, populations are locally threatened by pesticides (which reduce their food supply), habitat destruction, and the pet trade.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial as natural pest control for gardens and forests. They are popular in the pet trade due to their bright color and gentle nature, though they often struggle in captivity due to specific dietary and stress needs.
Notable Features
Equipped with a prehensile-like tail for climbing. After death, the skin of this snake often turns a bright blue color because the yellow pigment (xanthin) breaks down quickly, leaving only the blue structural color.