Opheodrys

Opheodrys
Opheodrys aestivus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Colubrinae
Genus:	Opheodrys Fitzinger, 1843
Synonyms
Anguis, Chlorosoma, Coluber, Contia, Cyclophis, Entechinus, Eurypholis, Herpetodryas, Leptophis, Liopeltis, Natrix, Phyllophilophis[1], Liochlorophis

Opheodrys is a genus of small to medium-sized colubrid snakes commonly referred to as green snakes. In North America the genus consists of two distinct species with five recognized subspecies. As their common names imply, the Rough Green Snake has keeled dorsal scales, whereas the Smooth Green Snake has smooth dorsal scales.

Species

• Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus
  • Northern Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus aestivus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  • Florida Rough Green Snake, Opheodrys aestivus carinatus Grobman, 1984
• Smooth Green Snake, Opheodrys vernalis
  • Western Smooth Green Snake, Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi Grobman, 1941
  • Eastern Smooth Green Snake, Opheodrys vernalis vernalis (Harlan, 1827)
  • Opheodrys vernalis borealis Grobman, 1992

The genus Opheodrys also includes two Asian species. O. herminae is endemic to Japan, and O. major is endemic to Central/South China, Taiwan, N. Vietnam and Laos.

• Sakashima Green Snake, Opheodrys herminae (Boettger, 1895)
• Greater Green Snake, Opheodrys major (Günther, 1858) = Cyclophiops major (Günther, 1858)

Geographic range

Green snakes are found throughout the United States, southern Canada, northern Mexico, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

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 (around 36 inches) in length. They have large eyes and blunt shaped heads.

Behavior and diet

Green snakes are often found in dense, low lying vegetation near a permanent water source. They have been known to follow human activity. They rely on their color for camouflage and will usually attempt to escape if threatened. Their primary diet is soft bodied arthropods, including crickets, spiders, moths, butterflies, and grasshoppers. Green snakes are oviparous.

References

1. ^ Wright, A.H. and A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca and London.

External links

• Genus Opheodrys at The Reptile Database
• Smooth Green Snake - Opheodrys vernalis Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources -- Laws Related to Native Wildlife