Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Summary 6
Opheodrys aestivus, commonly known as the rough green snake, is a nonvenomous North American colubrid. It is sometimes called grass snake or green grass snake, but these names are more commonly applied to the smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis). The European colubrid called grass snake (Natrix natrix) is unrelated. The rough green snake is docile, often allowing close approach by humans, and seldom bites. Even when bites occur, they have no venom and are harmless.
Behavior: 7
Opheodrys aestivus is often found in trees and bushes hiding from predators or foraging for food, which consists of crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders, in addition to the larvae of moths and butterflies. The rough greensnake is also found along water courses, and will readily enter the water to escape a predator or to chase down prey items. At times, O. aestivus may be found dead on roads and its green coloration is lost, assuming a blue tint in death.
Description 8
NOT venomous. Long head is slightly wider than neck, keeled scales, round pupils. Slender body is green fading to yellow and white on the belly. Typically 22 to 32 inches (56 to 81cm) in length. (J. R. Dixon and J. E. Werler, Texas Snakes: A Field Guide, University of Texas Press, 2000.)
Behavior: 7
Opheodrys aestivus is often found in trees and bushes hiding from predators or foraging for food, which consists of crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders, in addition to the larvae of moths and butterflies. The rough greensnake is also found along water courses, and will readily enter the water to escape a predator or to chase down prey items. At times, O. aestivus may be found dead on roads and its green coloration is lost, assuming a blue tint in death.
Coloration: 7
Bright green dorsal coloration is in contrast to a white chin and pale green, yellow, or cream colored belly.
Labial scales are often tinged with yellow and the eye may also be ringed with the same color.
Habitat: 7
Opheodrys aestivus is found in a variety of habitats throughout Texas, including thornscrub thickets, rocky wooded hillsides, as well as swamps and occassional open savannahs. The common factor found in these habitats is vegatation, with the more vegetation present, the less likely the non-venomous rough greensnake is to be spotted.
Texas Distribution: 7
In Texas, the rough greensnake is can be found in the eastern two-thirds of the state, not being present in the Panhandle and western Trans-Pecos regions
Conservation Status: 7
The rough greensnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Sources and Credits
- (c) FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwc/39345325782/
- (c) cyric, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by cyric
- (c) Chris Harrison, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Harrison
- (c) Travis W. Reeder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Travis W. Reeder
- (c) Aaron Goodwin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_rough_greensnake.jpg
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opheodrys_aestivus
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/776618
- (c) Amber Leung, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/494751
