Smooth Green Snake

The smooth green snake is sometimes found in large groups of other snakes when it’s resting or hibernating.

The smooth green snake, also known as the grass snake, is among the most common snake species in all of temperate North America. They are not considered to be poisonous to people at all. Smooth green snakes make good pets because they don’t require too much care and the price isn’t expensive.

Because they’re difficult to feed and handle, however, they are not necessarily recommended for beginners. This article will provide a thorough description of their appearance, behavior, and care.

5 Smooth Green Snake Amazing Facts

• The reproductive season of the smooth green snake takes place in the spring or summer. After mating, the female will lay anywhere between three and 13 eggs in a small burrow, log, or rock. These nesting sites are sometimes communal in nature. The eggs will hatch around August or September after a gestation period lasting about a month.
• The smooth green snake is most active from April to October. When hibernating for the winter, it will find a burrow, anthill, or other underground areas to hide out in. The snake will often hibernate with groups of other snakes.
• The smooth green snake is preyed upon by hawks, crows, foxes, raccoons, and milk snakes.
• The smooth green snake is quite fast and agile. If threatened, they may bite, thrash around, and emit a foul-smelling liquid.
• An organ located on the roof of the mouth is used to sense odors in the air. When it flicks out its tongue, the snake is gathering odor molecules.

Evolution and Origins

The smooth green snake is an indigenous species of the Nearctic region, with its range extending from southeastern Canada to Saskatchewan in the west, and from Illinois to Virginia in the south.

The distribution of smooth green snakes encompasses northeastern Canada, stretching westward to Saskatchewan, and extending southward through Illinois and Virginia.

In addition, isolated populations can be found in various regions of the western United States, including Wyoming, New Mexico, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Texas, and northern Mexico.

The three types are:

• Eastern smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis vernalis)
• Western smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi)
• Northern smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis borealis)

Where to Find Them

The smooth green snake can be found in grasslands, meadows, marshes, and open woodlands across North America, particularly in New England and the Great Lakes region; the greatest western extent of their range stretches out to Wyoming.

It prefers to stay in areas with plenty of grass and vegetation where its camouflage provides a very useful defense against predators. It comes out during the day to bask near rocks or logs, which double as a hiding spot. It also has the ability to climb in trees and bushes to evade predators. The three countries in which it’s found include:

• Canada
• United States
• Mexico

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the smooth green snake is Opheodrys vernalis. Opheodrys essentially translates from Greek to mean tree (drys) and snake (ophios). Vernalis comes from the old Latin meaning of or related to springtime. Three subspecies of the smooth green snake are recognized, including the eastern, the western, and the northern smooth green snake. The only other species within the same genus as the rough green snake.

Population and Conservation Status

The smooth green snake is considered to be a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List. Population numbers have never been properly estimated, but it appears that habitat loss and pesticide use have contributed to the decline of their population in some parts of their range.

Appearance and Description

The smooth green snake or grass snake is a very short and slender species, measuring no more than 26 inches long. It is characterized by a bright emerald green back and yellow or white underside. And unlike the closely related rough green snake, this species has smooth scales along the surface of the back.

There is some minimal variation in the color between different regions; some have olive or light brown skin color. Some are also said to have blue speckles. Females are generally larger than males, but they have shorter tails.

The following description should help you identify the smooth green snake:

• Slender body measuring no more than 26 inches long
• Smooth scales
• Bright green back and yellow or white belly
• Its head is about the same shape as the body
• Large round eyes in relation to body size

How Dangerous Are They?

The smooth green snake is considered to be completely harmless to humans because it is not poisonous at all. If threatened or stressed, the smooth green snake may attempt to bite, but it will probably not do any real damage to human skin.

Behavior and Humans

The smooth green snake or grass snake is fairly timid and shy around people. They have a natural instinct to run away and hide. If you plan to keep one as a pet, then you should be aware that they can become stressed easily and do not always like to be handled. On the plus side, this snake is completely harmless, and it’s considered to be relatively easy to care for (except perhaps for its feeding behavior).

1. Animal Diversity, Available here: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Opheodrys_vernalis/
2. Virginia Herpetological Society, Available here: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/smooth-green-snake/smooth_greensnake.php