Rough Greensnake Opheodrys aestivus (Linnaeus, 1766)    Synonyms: Northern Rough Green Snake, Northern Rough Greensnake, Opheodrys aestivus aestivus.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Squamata   >   Family Colubridae   >   Genus Opheodrys   

Status:

Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus) is the more widespread of the two green serpent species found in Maryland. This snake ranges widely through the coastal plain, extending locally into portions of the Piedmont (Maryland DNR site). Rough Greensnakes are considerably more arboreal than their northern relative, the Smooth Green, and they are frequently found during the day climbing around in sunlit bushes or low trees in search of insects, which constitute the bulk of its diet. Its green coloration and tendency to freeze if approached make it surprisingly difficult to locate in foliage. (Tennant, 2003)

Description:

Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus has conspicuously keeled dorsal scales, while Smooth Greensnake lacks keels.

There are 300 records in the project database.

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A Rough Greensnake in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/6/2016). Photo by Barbara Thurlow. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/28/2011). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/28/2011). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/28/2018). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/30/2006). Photo by Mike Burchett. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/30/2006). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake in Worcester Co., Maryland (9/11/2021). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Rough Greensnake in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/16/2013). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake in Prince George's Co., Maryland (8/26/2019). (c) Justin Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Justin Lee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (3/15/2023). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Emilio Concari. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (3/15/2023). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Emilio Concari. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake eggs in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/23/2018). (c) Justin Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Justin Lee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Rough Greensnake in Charles Co., Maryland (8/27/2021). (c) Tim Emhoff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Tim Emhoff via iNaturalist. (MBP list)


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