Snakes
Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys
aestivus
Description
20-45 5/8" (51-115.9 cm). Slender
arboreal snake; uniform pea-green with a long tapering tail. Belly
white to yellowish green. Hatchlings greenish-gray. Scales keeled,
in 17 rows. Anal plate divided.
Breeding
Mates spring and fall. Lays 3-12 smooth,
rather hard, capsule-shaped eggs, 1 1/2" (28 mm) long, June to
August. Young hatch in 5-12 weeks, are 7-8 5/8" (18-22 cm) long.
Mature in 1-2 years.
Habitat
Vines, bushes, and trees near water; sea
level to 5,000' (1,500 m).
Range
S. New Jersey west to e. Kansas, south to
Florida Keys west through Texas into e. Mexico. Isolated populations
in se. Iowa, ne. Missouri, w. Texas, and ne. New Mexico.
Discussion
A graceful, mild-tempered
tree-dweller. Abroad during the day, it moves slowly through
vegetation in search of grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and
spiders. Swims well and may take to water when
disturbed.
Snakes