Smooth Green Snake

Looks how to spot one

Scales

This snake has smooth, unkeeled scales that give it a glossy appearance. The upper side is a vivid, solid bright green, while the belly is white or pale yellow. Juveniles are more olive-green or bluish-grey. The head is slightly wider than the neck, green above and white below.43

Personality what they are like

Smooth green snakes are very docile and shy. They prefer to flee when threatened and rarely bite. If provoked, they may release a foul-smelling substance from their anal glands. They are not aggressive toward other non-threatening animals.42

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These snakes are diurnal and active from April to October. They are mostly ground-dwelling but can climb low bushes. In hot weather, they may be active mainly in the morning and evening. They need a spacious enclosure with plenty of hiding spots and branches for climbing.45

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Smooth green snakes require a specialised diet of live insects and do not survive well in captivity. They need a temperature gradient of 75-80°F during the day and 65-70°F at night, with humidity between 40% and 60%. The enclosure must have plenty of hiding spots. They are not recommended for beginners because they often refuse food and fail to thrive.53

Home where they are happiest

In the wild, they favour moist, open habitats such as old fields, meadows, pastures, fens, coastal grasslands, and wetland edges. They can also be found in open forests and on mountaintop balds. They bask on rocks, logs, or debris and hibernate underground in rodent burrows, often with other snakes. In captivity, they need a secure enclosure with a thermal gradient, high humidity, and plenty of cover. Note: In some regions, it is illegal to collect this snake from the wild, and it does not survive well in captivity.42

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Smooth green snakes are insectivores. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders, including crickets, moths, ants, caterpillars, harvestmen, snails, slugs, and worms. They hunt using chemical and visual cues and kill prey with a quick strike, not constriction. In captivity, they should be fed live insects such as crickets and worms; occasional pinky mice may be offered.65

Company who they like around

Smooth green snakes are mostly solitary, but they may form groups during breeding season and when hibernating. They are not aggressive toward other snakes but do not require companionship. In captivity, they can be housed alone. They are non-venomous and harmless to humans, but in some areas it is illegal to keep them as pets due to conservation concerns.24

The story where it all began

The smooth green snake has been known to science since the 19th century. Its scientific name Opheodrys vernalis comes from Greek and Latin roots meaning 'tree snake of springtime'. It has long been admired for its striking bright green colour and docile nature, leading to commercial collection for the pet trade. However, it is notorious for not surviving well in captivity, and many wild populations are now threatened by habitat loss, insecticide use, and over-collection. In some US states, it is a species of special concern and collecting it is illegal.641

Recognised by the official bits

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut due to habitat loss, insecticide use, and road mortality.4