Rough Green Snake

Description:

Rough green snakes are usually bright green with a creamy white or lightly tinted creamy yellow belly. Their scales are keeled, which gives them the name "rough" as compared to the "smooth" green snake (found further north in the US). These snakes are typically thin like a vine (their colloquial name is "vine-snake" or "grass-snake"). They are non-venomous, and non-aggressive and rarely (if ever) bite.

Habitat:

Rough green snakes are arboreal (they like trees) and typically hang out in bushes and trees along waterways. They blend in very well, and so most people won't notice them unless they are found crossing roadways and trails. This one was found crossing a shell road on the Three Rivers WMA. Typical habitat for the area is bottomland hardwood forest.

Notes:

We observed this snake while collecting data for my masters project. These snakes are harmless and gentle when picked up, though they will musk (and it can be pretty stinky). Be gentle and careful with them, as handling can stress them out.