Smooth Greensnake
Scientific Name: Opheodrys vernalis
Size: 14-20 inches (36-51 cm) in length
Status: Species of special concern
Habitat:
Lower shrub vegetation, old fields, pastures, farmland , meadows, bog borders, and forest clearings. Found mostly in the open, but may be found under rocks or logs.
Description:
A small to medium, slender species with a long tapered tail and smooth scales. The head is slightly distinct from the body with large black eyes. The upper body is bright green. The belly is a white or yellowish white. The chin and lower scales around the mouth are white.
- The dorsal is uniform bright green.
- The ventral is white to yellowish white.
- The lateral scales may have a slight blue tint.
- Suparlabials and chin are white to yellow.
- Long, slender species
- Long tapering tail
- The head is slightly distinct from the body.
- Large eyes
- Smooth scales
- Terrestrial
- Neonates are dark olive grey with lighter side.
- The ventral is white.
- 15 scale rows at mid-body
- 106-154 ventral scales
- 59-102 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
- 1 nasal scale
- 1 loreal scale
- 1 preocular scale
- 2 postocular scales
- 1+2 temporal scales
- 7 supralabials
- 7-8 infralabials
- Anal plate is divided
May be Confused With:
References:
- Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 309-312pp.
- Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 192-195pp.
- Kyle Loucks
- Rex Everett
- Sebastian Harris
- Don Becker(psychoticnature.com)
Heads up!
Please contribute your observation of this and other herps to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey. Your help is needed.