Field Guide to Maryland's Snakes (Order Squamata)
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Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus) | ![Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Linh Phu](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NRG_LinhPhu.jpg) 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](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NRG_Closeup_ScottSmith.jpg) Close-up Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Scott A. Smith
![Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Tony Prochaska](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NRG_TonyP.jpg) Photo of Rough Greensnake courtesy of Tony Prochaska
| 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](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NRG_RChalmers.jpg) Photo of Habitat for Rough Greensnake courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers
| Distribution in Maryland:Primarily a Coastal Plain species but has been known to follow river valleys west of the Fall Line into Montgomery County.
![Rough Greensnake - Distribution in Maryland](/wildlife/PublishingImages/snake_NRG_Map.jpg)
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