Post by Ceratodromeus on Jan 9, 2016 10:24:51 GMT 5
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Subfamily: Colubrinae
Genus: Opheodrys
Species: O.aestivus
Subspecies
-Northern rough green snake: O.aestivus aestivus
-Florida rough green snake: O.aestivus carenatus
Description
This is a relatively long, slender member of the Colubridae family. As the common name may suggest, standard body coloration of the species is a light green, with a white underbelly. This cryptic coloration helps these snakes blend in with the foliage they frequently habitates. Light yellow striping can be found on the upper jaw, and runs to the back of the skull. The eyes are proportionately large to the head, and have a large round pupil. The species appears to be slightly sexually dimorphic; males typically measure 464-495mm(18.2-19.4in) in snout-vent length, while females measure 532-618mm(20.9-24-3in) in snout-vent length{1}. The longest recorded rough green snake, though of undetermined sex, measured 735mm(28.9in) in snout-vent length{2}.
Geographic range
This species is endemic to the Eastern United States, ranging from Eastern Texas up into Deleware. It is a highly arboreal species, that can commonly be found by lakeshore and streamers with dense foliage coverage.
Dietary habits
This snake is a dietary specialist, feeding almost exclusively on invertebrates. Caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, skimmers, and spiders have all been documented in the diet of this species. However, on the rare occasion, frogs are also taken{3}. They do not have venom, nor do they employ constriction to dispatch their prey, they simply eat it alive. Because of the small size of their prey, rough green snakes feed very frequently.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in the spring or fall, with eggs being laid within a month. Clutch size for the species ranges from 3-12, with five being a far more common occurence. Females will often look for hollows in trees or moist substrates in which to lay their eggs{4}.The eggs subsequently hatch approximately forty to forty five days later. Upon hatching, rough green snakes measure ~120mm in snout-vent length length. They grow quickly in their first couple years of life, attaining sexual maturity at ~335mm(13.1in) snout-vent length{5}, or 33 months of age in females, and 12 months for males.
References
{1} Plummer, Michael V. "Population ecology of green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) revisited." Herpetological Monographs (1997): 102-123.
{2} Plummer, Michael V. "Geographic variation in body size of green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus)." Copeia (1987): 483-485.
{3} Goldsmith, Steven K. "Aspects of the natural history of the rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus (Colubridae)." The Southwestern Naturalist (1984): 445-452.
{4} Plummer, Michael V., and Howard L. Snell. "Nest site selection and water relations of eggs in the snake, Opheodrys aestivus." Copeia (1988): 58-64.
{5} Plummer, Michael V. "Growth and maturity in green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus)." Herpetologica (1985): 28-33.
