Rough Green Snake

Opheodrys aestivus

The Rough Green Snake is a very slender reptile that can be found near forested areas in the Southeastern United States. They are diurnal and arboreal, and their entire bodies are a light green, which helps them to hide among the vegetation.

Breeding typically takes place during the spring, and males leave the female immediately after copulation. She will lay only about a dozen eggs, but it takes between 5 and 12 weeks to hatch. Interestingly, the gestation time is based on the temperature outside. After the eggs hatch the females have nothing more to do with their offspring.

Rough Green Snakes are primarily insectivores, though they will also eat small vertebrates as well. They are neither venomous nor are they constrictors. They hunt using their exceptional vision, and by striking at their prey with quick speed.

Rough Green Snakes are common throughout their range, and are not currently threatened.

IUCN Status : Least Concern

Location : Southeastern United States
Size : Length up to 3ft (90cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae -- Genus : Opheodrys -- Species : O. aestivus

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