Field Guide to Maryland's Snakes (Order Squamata)
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Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus) | 
Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Linh Phu |
Former Name:
Northern Rough Snake |
Size:
22 - 32 inches. Record - 45⅝ inches. |
Appearance:- A slender, long and delicate snake with a green back and unmarked white, cream, yellow or pale green belly.
- The keeled scales account for its “rough” name.
- The body turns blue a short time after death, accounting for reports of road-killed “blue” snakes.
Close-up Photo of Rough Greensnake
courtesy of Scott A. Smith
Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Tony Prochaska
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Habitats:An arboreal species, it is found in association with shrubs and vines in riparian areas, particularly in areas with sandy soils. They also occur in hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, old fields, suburban lawns, coastal shrub thickets and the wrack zone of barrier islands. Found primarily on the coastal plain. |
How to Find:A diurnal species, carefully look for them climbing in thick leafy woody vegetation along pond, river and lake shorelines. Gentle when handled and non-venomous.
Photo of Habitat for Rough Greensnake
courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers
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Distribution in Maryland:Primarily a Coastal Plain species but has been known to follow river valleys west of the Fall Line into Montgomery County.
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