Florida Rough Green Snake

Opheodrys carinatus

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

 

Characteristics:

Slender and leaf green except immediately before shedding when it may be duller, or after death when it is bluish. Yellow, white, or pale green belly. May be seen on the ground but more often in vines or trees and especially in edge habitats. Scales are strongly keeled. Use range to differentiate from northern rough green snakes. This is an insectivorous species with caterpillars being a favored food item. Ovoviviparous. Hatchlings are duller than adults.

 

Unique Features:

Virtually impossible to differentiate from the Northern rough green snake in the field. Use range to determine the subspecies in hand.

 

Habitat and Diet:

May be seen on the ground but more often in vines or trees and especially in edge habitats. Often occurs but is seldom actually seen in yards. This is an insectivorous species with caterpillars being a favored food item

 

Geographic Range:

FL,