Opheodrys aestivus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Opheodrys aestivus

Common Name. Rough Greensnake

General information. Opheodrys aestivus is often found in trees and bushes hiding from predators or foraging for food, which consists of crickets, grasshoppers, and spiders, in addition to the larvae of moths and butterflies. The rough greensnake is also found along water courses, and will readily enter the water to escape a predator or to chase down prey items. At times, O. aestivus may be found dead on roads and its green coloration is lost, assuming a blue tint in death.

Protected status. The Rough Greensnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Divided anal plate Keeled scales in 17 rows at midbody

Coloration. Bright green dorsal coloration is in contrast to a white chin and pale green, yellow, or cream colored belly. Labial scales are often tinged with yellow and the eye may also be ringed with the same color.

General distribution. Opheodrys aestivus is a common snake found throughout the southeastern U.S., from Virginia along the Atlantic Coast, to Florida and west throughout much of Texas. Populations are also found in Mexico, along the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, the Rough Greensnake is can be found in the eastern two-thirds of the state, not being present in the Panhandle and western Trans-Pecos regions

Habitat. Opheodrys aestivus is found in a variety of habitats throughout Texas, including thornscrub thickets, rocky wooded hillsides, as well as swamps and occassional open savannahs. The common factor found in these habitats is vegatation, with the more vegetation present, the less likely the non-venomous rough greensnake is to be spotted.

Reproduction. Females lay clutches of eggs in the second half of summer and young emerge from their eggs in August or September measuring 19-21 cm (7.5-8 in) in length.

Size. Opheodrys aestivus is the largest of the two green snakes found in Texas, with adults measuring 56-81 cm (22-32 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Opheodrys vernalis

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Opheodrys vernalis

Common Name. Smooth Greensnake

General information. The Smooth Greensnake is much more of a terrestrial snake than its relative, the rough greensnake, which is much more of a climbing snake. Opheodrys vernalis, a non-venomous species, will climb vegetation in search of food or to escape the midday heat, but is generally found on the ground. Food consists of mainly insects and spiders, but individuals east of Texas have also been recorded eating salamanders, slugs, snails, and even centipedes and millipedes.

Protected status. Because of its limited distribution in Texas, Opheodrys vernalis is listed as threatened by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is protected by the state of Texas.

Diagnostic features. Divided anal plate Smooth dorsal scales in 15 rows at midbody

Coloration. Bright green dorsal surface. Greenish-yellow or white ventral surface which extends up to the second dorsal scale row.

General distribution. Opheodrys vernalis is found throughout portions of the northeastern and northcentral parts of the U. S., ranging from Maine and New Hampshire, through the Great Lakes, along with scattered and isolated populations found through many of the central states, as far west as Colorado and New Mexico.

Texas distribution. The one subspecies of Opheodrys vernalis found in Texas, O. v. blanchardi, is restricted to one isolated population along the southeast coast near Houston and Victoria; there are only 6 known museum specimens for Opheodrys vernalis in Texas. These Texas populations are over 800 km away from the nearest populations found in either New Mexico or Missouri.

Habitat. Opheodrys vernalis is most often found in meadows or shortgrass prairie habitats, but because of its cryptic coloration, it is generally only seen when it is active in the open.

Reproduction. Eggs are laid in the late summer months, clutch sizes between 2-18, and in some northern populations, the young emerge only a few days later because advanced development which had taken place within the eggs before they were laid. Clutches from southern populations incubate longer, with young hatching out during September and October.

Size. Adult Opheodrys vernalis typically measure 30-51 cm (12-20 in) in length; record size is over 38 cm (15 in).

Greensnakes | Herps of Texas

Opheodrys aestivus

Opheodrys vernalis