Green Snake

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Rough Green Snake Scientific Name: Opheodrys aestivus

Basic Info

The Green Snake is known by many names. Common names include the Keeled Green Snake, the Green Whip Snake, the Garden Snake, the Vine Snake, and the Grass Snake. Green Snakes are beautiful and graceful, and can make great pets.

Health

The Green Snake is often difficult to keep in captivity. They have problems with internal and external parasites, and do not easily adapt to new foods. In fact, one of the main problems with keeping Green Snakes in captivity comes from the fact that we don't fully understand their diet. Moths, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders and earthworms are a typical Green Snake diet. In captivity, they should be fed a constant food source twice a week. Crickets are best, due to their availability, however, the crickets should be gut loaded with a special mixture. The crickets should kept with food so they don't nibble at the Green Snake. Green Snakes should never be given food that is wider than their body. A water dish should be provided for the Green Snake, but they prefer to drink water drops off of leaves, so their cage should be misted once or twice a day. Green Snakes should be kept in a habitat with a temperature range from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Breeding The Green Snake is difficult to breed in captivity. Breeding occurs in the springtime. Nesting will happen in the summer. Green Snakes choose nesting sites that have sufficient moisture. Green Snakes lay between two to fourteen eggs. Incubation takes roughly 30 to 45 days. If the temperature is cold, the eggs can take 80 days to hatch. When the eggs hatch, the baby snakes will be four to six inches long. Green Snakes are considered to be mature when they reach a size of 14 to 16 inches, which takes about two years.

Habitat

Found throughout North America

Behavior

Green Snakes are a shy creature. They like to hide from humans, and they are naturally reclusive. While their small and gentle bodies make them very pleasing to hold, Green Snakes generally do not like to be handled. Green Snakes have a good temper, and will rarely attempt to bite a human. Due to their shy nature, the Green Snake needs a habitat with plenty of hiding places. Green Snakes will due best in a densely planted habitat. At maturity, the Green Snake reaches a size of 22 to 46 inches. As their name implies, the Green Snake has a dark green color, much like grass. These snakes do tend to turn a light turquoise blue when frightened or excited. Also, Green Snakes will sometimes have yellow shading on their underside. Green Snakes are slender and agile, and wiggle a lot. Females weigh more than males. They are quite abundant in the wild. Green Snakes can be difficult to keep in captivity, however. This is attributed mostly to a lack of understanding of their diet. Green Snakes are arboreal, but they spend most of their time near ground level, in bushes, meadows and grassy marshes and fields. Green Snakes are good swimmers.

Origin

North America

History

Green Snakes are found throughout North America. They are mostly found in the eastern United States, in states such as Florida and Connecticut.

Common Foods

N/A