Rough Green Snake
Opheodrys aestivus
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Family: Colubridae - Harmless Egg-Laying Snakes Typical Adult Size: 22 to 34 inches Reproduction: egg laying Eye Pupil: round Dorsal Scales: keeled Anal Scale: divided |
The Rough Green Snake is very slender-bodied. It is South Carolina's only snake with a uniform green dorsal color. The lower sides and belly are pale yellow. The eyes are large and prominent. Rough Green Snakes may be found throughout South Carolina.
The Rough Green Snake is mostly arboreal and is usually active only during daytime. Because of its very effective camouflage, if is most often noticed by people only when crossing roads. It hunts insects and insect larvae in dense foliage. When hunting, it often moves its head in a faltering, shaky motion.
In death, the Rough Green Snake will become a blue color. This color change often leads persons to mistakenly believe they have found a different species.
Additional Images:| Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus |
| adult |
| adult, DOR, showing typical blue death color |
July 07, 2009
Contact: South Carolina Reptiles and Amphibians