Opheodrys

Opheodrys is a genus of small to medium-sized nonvenomous colubrid snakes commonly referred to as green snakes. In North America the genus consists of two distinct species. As their common names imply, the rough green snake has keeled dorsal scales, whereas the smooth green snake has smooth dorsal scales.

Taxonomy

The genus Opheodrys at one time included two Asian species: O. herminae, which is endemic to Japan, and O. major, which is endemic to Central/South China, Taiwan, N. Vietnam, and Laos. These were removed from the genus by Cundall in 1981

Opheodrys herminae = Ptyas herminae – Sakashima green snake
Opheodrys major = Ptyas major – greater green snake

Subspecies

The following subspecies of Opheodrys are no longer recognized by ITIS:

Opheodrys aestivus aestivus – northern rough green snake
Opheodrys aestivus carinatus Grobman, 1984 – Florida rough green snake
Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi Grobman, 1941 – western smooth green snake
Opheodrys vernalis borealis Grobman, 1992 – northern smooth green snake
Opheodrys vernalis vernalis – eastern smooth green snake.

However, as of May 2023, The Reptile Database still recognizes the subspecies O. aestivus carinatus in addition to the nominotypical subspecies O. a. aestivus.

Species

The following two species are recognized as being valid.

Image	Species	Common name
	Opheodrys aestivus	rough green snake
	Opheodrys vernalis	smooth green snake

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Opheodrys.

Geographic range

Green snakes of the genus Opheodrys are found in the United States, southern Canada, and northern Mexico.

Description

Green snakes are so named because they are typically solid green in color dorsally, with a cream-colored or yellow underside. They are thin-bodied snakes that rarely exceed 90 cm in length. They have large eyes and blunt shaped heads.

Habitat

Green snakes are often found in dense, low lying vegetation near a permanent water source.

Behavior

Green snakes have been known to follow human activity. They rely on their color for camouflage and will usually attempt to escape if threatened.

Diet

Their primary diet is soft-bodied arthropods, including crickets, spiders, moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers.

Reproduction

Green snakes of the genus Opheodrys are oviparous.