A slender bright green non-venomous snake. Eats almost exclusively caterpillars and spiders. Camouflaged perfectly against foliage.

Also called: Rough Green Snake, Magnolia Snake (folk)

Native status: Native to eastern US

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 55–115 cm (22–45 in)
Weight25–100 g
LifespanWild 6–8 years; captive 15
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae

§ Encyclopedia

Opheodrys aestivus, commonly known as the rough green snake, is a species of nonvenomous North American snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is sometimes called grass snake or green grass snake, but these names are more commonly applied to the smooth green snake. The European colubrid called grass snake is not closely related. The rough green snake is docile, often allowing close approach by humans, and rarely bites. Even when bites occur, they have no venom and are harmless.

Source: Wikipedia — Opheodrys aestivus Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Long slender snake with bright lime-green back; pale yellow or whitish belly; smooth body but keeled (ridged) scales on back giving slight roughness vs. the smooth-scaled Smooth Greensnake.

Similar species. Smooth Greensnake (smooth scales; different range edge). Vine snakes (introduced species; very different shape).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Almost exclusively soft-bodied invertebrates — caterpillars, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, dragonflies. Rare among snakes for this near-exclusive insectivorous diet.

Behavior. Among the most arboreal native US snakes — spends most of life in shrubs, vines, and low tree branches hunting insects. Slender bright-green coloration provides exceptional camouflage among leaves. Non-venomous and almost entirely harmless to humans; rarely bites even when handled. Lays eggs in rotted logs or under bark, sometimes in communal nests with multiple females depositing eggs in the same location.

§ Range

Eastern US

§ Habitat

Trees, shrubs near water

§ Threats

Pesticide drift killing prey, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern rough greensnake is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Skip pesticides. Maintain shrubby areas. Don't kill snakes.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Davidson College Department of Biology
  • Virginia Herpetological Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2007