Rough Green Snake
Range
Statewide.
Description
Keeled scales. This slender-bodied, bright green snake has a white or cream-colored belly. The tail is very long and makes up almost 40 percent of the total body length. The tail is used as an anchor when the snake is moving through the branches of bushes and brush. Young resemble adults. Adults average 22-32 inches in length.
Habitat and Habits
Rough green snakes are active during the day from April to early October. Our most arboreal (tree-dwelling) snake, it prefers the bushes or shrubs along the edge of streams and swamps. Also found on open brushy ridges. Breeding can occur in spring or autumn and from 1-10 eggs are laid in June-July. It specializes in feeding on caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, dragonflies, damselflies and spiders.