Rough Green Snake

[Nanci]

I caught and released a Rough Green Snake ( Opheodrys aestivus) today. Location: Rochelle, Florida (between Gainesville and Hawthorne- north central.) Found twining around a fence and small tree, at the end of a bridge over a slow creek, mid-morning, about 85F. It was about 24 inches long, but _very_ slender. This snake did not attempt to bite, and relaxed so I was able to handle it without gripping it within five minutes. I released it into the tree after taking some photos. I will post one as soon as the camera owner sends it to me.

http://tinyurl.com/n6me2

I also cycled past what I believe was a Peninsula Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii) sunning on the paved trail.

Yesterday I rode past a roadkill corn- I was very sad. People should be more careful and watch out.

Nanci

 

[Nanci]

Here's a photo of the Rough Green Snake. (Those are cycling gloves, not anti-snake gloves

 

[laanxx99]

Beautiful snake. Great coloring. Hard to believe that it was calm for you. Most smaller snakes like that are just crazy when you catch them on a warm day. Good job!

 

[sfaoldguy]

I love those and that is a beautiful example. Thanks for sharing.

Tonight I went driving for herps and found a copperhead but realised, after I found him, that I didn't have anything to put him in to get him to the house for pics. When I was attempting to get better footing on the pine covered ground in the ditch, I slipped and my face was about one foot away from him. :eek1: I don't think I have ever gotten up so fast. LOL

Again, beautiful snake and thanks for sharing.

:cheers:
John

 

[Green Bean]

Such a pretty snake...

At our local PetCo they are selling one for about $25.00.

I'm not very good at herping, so I tend to 'herp' at my pet stores. LOL.

 

[desertanimal]

That's a pretty one! I love those guys.

 

[ratsncorns]

So pretty and such a bright color! Lucky you got to see one while cycling, I'm jealous

 

[ArpeggioAngel]

What a beautiful little snake. Thanks for sharing the pic. I keep hoping to run across one some day!

 

[Lady Reptilana]

That is a cutie!

 

[snake guy]

that was my first snake, my dad got me one when I was about 11 years old.And ever since I've been hooked on snakes :grin01: nice pic. :wavey:

 

[logic]

Beautiful snake...
nice find!

I used to have one myself... I think those are one of the most beautiful snakes out there... I love the contrast from the green and yellow.

And I agree with laanxx99.. those lil guys can be pretty skittish when they haven't been handled... you lucked out...hope you didn't get musked...!

 

[jjspirko]

I have actually always found them to calm down quite easily and make pretty good captives too. They like crickets and eat with the frequency of a lizard vs. most snakes so you got to keep some on hand.

They are beautiful and I would guess it is only their small size that keeps them less popular as pets then say corns, rats, boas, etc. They don't spend all their time hiding either so they make great display animals, key is to use plants that are a different green then they are with some browns, etc mixed in, in their viv. They don't need much room but a basking light is really appreciated and shows them off too.

The also really love to climb so a cage with some verticle room is nice as well. Nice you let him go though no need for taking them from the wild many pet stores sell them,

 

[cassandra]

Neat picture! There was a pretty good article about rough green snakes in a recent Reptiles Magazine...

And that's my problem with reading about new-to-me species of snakes - I then *want* one. =P

But such a cute little guy. =)

 

[logic]

I have actually always found them to calm down quite easily and make pretty good captives too. They like crickets and eat with the frequency of a lizard vs. most snakes so you got to keep some on hand.

They are beautiful and I would guess it is only their small size that keeps them less popular as pets then say corns, rats, boas, etc. They don't spend all their time hiding either so they make great display animals, key is to use plants that are a different green then they are with some browns, etc mixed in, in their viv. They don't need much room but a basking light is really appreciated and shows them off too.

The also really love to climb so a cage with some verticle room is nice as well. Nice you let him go though no need for taking them from the wild many pet stores sell them,

Yes absolutely... they do calm down after some handling, but if they are not frequently handled they usually do musk... they are very similar to ribbon and/or garter snakes in that sense...
personally I think they are easier to calm then the later...
matter of fact, I've seen one go into a croc spin to try to get away...
now that's a site...!

vertical space is the key with these little guys...
great idea with the browns, by the way!!
my tank was mostly green... they really do blend in...!!!

the snakes you buy in the pet store are usually wild caught... thus, it is imperative that you closely check for parasite before you purchase one... they often have mites... (almost all snakes that are captively bred are usually not sold to pet stores and many, are often found that are gravid before captured when caught... believe it or not these beauties are born with a bluish tinge and when they die, they usually turn a similar bluish color, almost within minutes after death, as well..)

you can always buy some of the meds the pet stores sells to eliminate the mites.... but be cautious not to keep them close to any other snakes you have... remember your quarantine procedures with these guys...!!!!

nonetheless, they are amazing creatures...!!!