The smooth green snake is a nonvenomous snake native to North America. It is green in color with smooth scales. This slender snake reaches 14-20 inches as an adult. The tail makes up 1/4 to 1/2 the total length. Males have longer tails than females. The smooth green snake lives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woods, meadows and wetlands. Its range spreads across much of North America. It is found as far north as Canada and as far south as the northern Mexico. It is common in Midwestern and Eastern states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio. The lifespan in captivity can reach six years or more. A 30 gallon tank provides space for plants and hiding spots for housing smooth green snakes. Since they have thin bodies, the enclosure must be escape-proof with a tight screen lid. The smooth green snake rarely bites and is harmless to humans.
Do smooth green snakes like to be held?
The smooth green snake is a non-venomous snake known for its green color and smooth scales, found in North America. Smooth green snakes use their scales for camouflage to avoid predators. They flee when threatened. Smooth green snakes are generally docile if approached by humans. At maturity, they reach 22 to 46 inches. Their color is like grass. When frightened, they turn turquoise blue with yellow undersides. Females weigh more than males.
Though similar looking, rough green snakes have keeled scales while smooth snakes have smooth scales due to different lifestyles. In the pet trade, rough green snakes are more common but both can be good “look only” pets for experienced keepers. They are shy, infrequent feeders requiring quiet habitats. Thus, they may not suit first-time snake owners.
Smooth green snakes live in groups when resting or hibernating. They are common in temperate North America. They are not poisonous to humans. Smooth green snakes need little care and aren’t expensive so they make good pets. However, they should not be handled frequently as this causes them stress and illness. While smooth green snakes are rewarding pets, handling should be minimized.
What is the difference between the rough green snake and the smooth green snake?
The smooth green snake is smooth scaled. Rough green snakes have raised keels on the scales. This aids rough green snakes as they are highly arboreal, preferring to inhabit dense trees or large shrubs. Smooth green snakes tend to be mostly terrestrial, found in open, grassy areas or in low shrubs.
Reaching just 18-20 inches, smooth green snakes remain small and slender. Comparatively, rough green snakes attain sizes up to 32 inches. Despite greater lengths, rough green snakes show negligible weight differences. Both share moderately slow growth rates, surviving 10 to 15 years.
Smooth green snakes camouflage themselves by waving their heads back and forth, imitating grass stalks. Rough green snakes are docile, shy snakes that can be nervous, making them unsuitable for beginners. Juvenile green snakes are often tan, brown or gray, growing greener as they develop.
The scales and size differences help herpetologists discern the lifeways of these cryptic, supple serpents.
Are smooth green snakes endangered?
Smooth green snakes are not endangered currently. However, habitat destruction due to human activities like logging and development can reduce suitable habitat.
The smooth green snake inhabits grasslands, open woods, meadows and wetlands across much of North America. Its range extends from Canada to the United States. States where you can find them include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The smooth green snake is small, slender and measures 14-20 inches as an adult. It relies on foliage to move through trees and likes locations with much of it. Its name comes from the smooth green scales on its back unlike the rough green snake.
Only the rough green snake lives in trees while the smooth green snake is often terrestrial. For the smooth green snake, smooth scales help it wriggle quickly through grass to escape predators.
Green snakes are not venomous. Smooth green snakes make docile pets but their main defense is camouflage in their environment. Their diet is insects like crickets and caterpillars, not fruits or vegetables.
The smooth green snake mates in late spring to summer. Females lay eggs from June to September. Hatchlings are dark green, growing greener over time. This slender snake relies on camouflage for safety. It seldom bites when threatened, preferring to flee.