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.
STATUS:
RANGE: South New Jersey west to east Kansas,
south to Florida Keys west through Texas into east Mexico.
Isolated populations in southeast. Iowa, northeast Missouri,
west Texas, and northeast New Mexico.
HABITAT: Rough Green Snakes can be
found in hilly areas where it frequents dry, sparse woodland
habitat. They are very good climbers and often bask in low trees
and bushes on sunny days. The Rough Green Snake preys mostly on
insects such as grasshoppers and spiders. When threatened, it
freezes in place and waits for an opportune moment then escapes
for the nearest cover.
SPECIAL HABITAT:
FOOD: This species eats mainly
grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, spiders, small frogs, and
snails or slugs. |
