Snakes
Smooth Green Snake
Liochlorophis
vernalis
Description
14-26" (35.5-66 cm). Small and
streamlined; bright grass-green with long tapering tail. Belly
white, tinged with pale yellow. Hatchlings bluish-gray or dark
olive-green. Scales smooth, in 15 rows. Anal plate
divided.
Breeding
Mates spring and late summer. Lays 3-11
cylindrical-shaped, thin-shelled eggs, late July to August. Young
hatch in 4-23 days at 4-6 1/2" (10-16.5 cm). A choice egg-laying
site may be shared by a number of females.
Habitat
Meadows, grassy marshes, moist grassy
fields along forest edge; sea level to 9,500' (2,900 m).
Range
Nova Scotia west to se. Saskatchewan, south
to North Carolina and ne. Kansas; se. Idaho and Wyoming south into
ne. and se. Utah and e. New Mexico; se. Texas. Numerous scattered
populations.
Discussion
Active during the day. A capable
climber, but is largely terrestrial. Its color provides excellent
camouflage as it moves through grass and low shrubs in search of
insects and spiders. Large numbers of this species may overwinter
together.
Snakes