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Rough green snake

Opheodrys aestivus

Description:

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.

Habitat:

Open woodlands.

Notes:

This little guy was the cutest snake I have seen here & also very docile & easy to handle. The only problem I had was getting a decent photo of him as he kept eye contact with me nearly the whole time & turned to face me every time I tried to get a different angle!

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98 Comments (1–25)

It is really cute! Amazing snake and photo too!

KarenL
KarenL 10 years ago

Thank you Meredith!

Meredith.M.
Meredith.M. 10 years ago

Adorable!

KarenL
KarenL 10 years ago

S/he was definitely very curious! :)

SharniM
SharniM 10 years ago

He looks so happy and curious. :3

ceejayalyssa
ceejayalyssa 10 years ago

interesting!

KarenL
KarenL 10 years ago

Thanks bherath!

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 10 years ago

so so cute love it so much

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Thanks Gerard!

gerardthethird
gerardthethird 11 years ago

what a cutie!!!! i love his eyes and soooo small wow!

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Thank you Cole!

Nayeli
Nayeli 11 years ago

Very nice series!

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Thanks Parag - I think this little guy was curious about me rather than friendly. It is possible he had a previous brush with a "human" (though it's unlikely as this was private land) & had no reason to fear me. But whatever the reason - it was a delightful encounter for me!

Parag2
Parag2 11 years ago

wonderful..
i never thought snakes are so friendly too..

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Thanks Guys!

Uday
Uday 11 years ago

its a cutest little thing i've ever seen

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

I hadn't noticed that Jacob! This guy was very much alive luckily!

Jacob Gorneau
Jacob Gorneau 11 years ago

Upon Lisa Powers' comment, I wonder why the marking on the head is blue? Obviously, it is not part-dead! :)

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Thank you Joshua!
Vicki, this little guy was even cuter in the flesh! It was also extremely curious about me & the camera & didn't seem to be in the least bothered about being handled!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 11 years ago

wow! this is super cool

This is the first time in my life I have said this, but that snake is down right cute! I love that look! This is a great photo!

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

How interesting Lisa! I'm please that this little guy was a healthy shade of green!

LisaPowers
LisaPowers 11 years ago

These snakes are one of my very favorites! I just love that lime green color. However, upon death, these snakes turn blue! It has to do with having 2 layers of chromatophores. The yellow pigment, which combines with a blue pigment to make the snake's skin green in life, breaks down quickly after death. Only the blue pigment remains, so the snake's body changes color shortly after death.

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

You're welcome Lisa!
I have some salamanders for your other mission too!

LisaPowers
LisaPowers 11 years ago

Thanks for adding this to the Tennessee Snakes Mission!

KarenL
Spotted by
KarenL

Williamsport, Tennessee, United States

Spotted on Mar 21, 2012
Submitted on Mar 22, 2012

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