Do you want a pet snake that eats insects instead of rats and mice? You might be a good choice for a rough green snake. It is also small and slim so it doesn’t need much space.
The Opheodrys is a native North American non-venomous snake. It is also known as the keeled-green snake, the vine snake, and the grass snake.
Hundreds of rough-green snakes are taken from the wild every year and sold in pet shops across the country.
These pets are readily available to reptile keepers. In many states, however, the number and health of rough green snakes are in danger.
Because they are shy, rough green snakes are a popular choice for experienced reptile keepers. The reptiles need to be in a calm environment. Rough Green Snakes can become stressed if they are handled.
This article will discuss how to care for the snake. It will also cover its ideal habitat, feeding habits, behavior, and other facts.
Rough Green Snake Overview
The Colubridae family includes the rough-green snake. It is named after its color. It is the North American’s green snake, the other being the smooth-green snakes.
Smooth green snakes tend to be smaller and more slender with smoother scales. This family also includes the African green snakes as well as other species from southern and eastern Asia.
In 1766, the naturalist Carl Linnaeus wrote the first scientific description of the snake. It is an arboreal snake and rarely sees the ground.
It instead hangs on to branches and twigs as it hunts for insects. The snake is calm and won’t bite or strike.
The rough green snake hibernates in underground tunnels during winter. If the winter is mild, however, hibernation may be avoided entirely.
High mortality rates can also occur if winter arrives suddenly before hibernation tunnels are prepared.
The remaining snakes are able to mate and feed in April.
Rough Green Snakes’ Appearance
The rough-green snake is named after its texture-like keeled skin. These scales allow the reptile to climb through dense bushes.
It has a bright green top and a milky or pale green underbelly. Younger snakes tend to have duller skin that they shed for a more vibrant coat.
The green body of the snake makes it a great camouflage for vegetation.
It is a long, slender snake that grows to snake loves to chase prey but live prey can cause stress or injury. Therefore, it is better to choose dead insects.
Keep in mind, however, that rough green snakes will not eat their prey and that you should avoid any items larger than the reptile’s bodies.
Freshly molted mealworms can be offered, but they should not be given more than once as they can cause impurity.
Before being fed to snakes, the insects must be gut-loaded. They should be given nutritious food and vitamins.
The feeders should also be rubbed with multivitamin and calcium supplements once a week. To increase their nutritional value, these supplements are available in powdered form. They stick to the insect’s skin.
Begin hatchlings with a diet consisting of fruit flies or pinhead crickets. Then, gradually increase the size of the feeder items. Use tongs when you get your pet. They can bite you if they eat food you have offered.
Although hand feeding can take some time, it is well worth the effort.
Rough green snakes love water from leaves, and they will not drink from a water container. It will however, love to soak in water to cool down and shed. To do this, fill a large bowl with chlorinated water and place it inside the tank.
The bowl should not be too heavy so that the snake can tip it, and should not be too deep to allow the reptiles to drown in it. It should be impermeable to prevent water from leaking into the substrate.
To prevent rapid evaporation and to raise humidity levels to dangerous levels, place the bowl on the cooler side of the tank.
Also, make sure to change the water every day as the snake can become ill from eating fecal matter. To prevent mold or fungi growth, you should scrub the bowl at least once a week.
Every day, mist the greenery to make sure your pet has enough water.
Green Rough Snake Behavior
The gentle, docile rough-green snake will not bite humans and is very docile. Some reptile keepers even catch the snakes wild.
Some regions make it illegal to hunt these reptiles. You should check your state’s laws regarding their capture.
Your rough green snake may be aggressive when you bring it home for the first time. This is known as “cage aggression”, which is common in rough green snakes when they first arrive home.
This is a mistaken assumption by some reptile keepers. However, the snake needs to adapt.
The rough green snake is not a snake you should be able to handle. Some snakes are difficult to handle.
They may become used to your touch and will tolerate occasional handling. Begin by touching the snake in its home and watching its reactions. They will eventually become curious and may approach people.
They will open their mouths wide when you touch them. This is how they respond to being threatened. Don’t touch their tails if they are open to your touch. The snake is not a patient animal and can be easily lost.
Snakes spend their time hiding and climbing. It is important to create a safe environment for snakes by providing climbing structures and hiding places.
You may not be able to see your pet if it is being fed or soaked in water. The snake will move in a way that mimics the motion of a vine or tree branch when you give it a prey item.
Is the Rough Green Snake safe to handle?
These rough green snakes aren’t poisonous or venomous and don’t bite. They are a great choice for reptile owners who wish to keep a gentle snake. They are harmless and can be bit if they do.
If they are threatened, they can emit a pungent odor that can stick to your hands for a long time. To protect your hands from being bitten by the snake, you can use gloves to handle it.
Also, make sure to hold it close to you when handling it. Don’t let it hang around.
Price
The rough green snake can be found in pet shops across the US at an average price of $8 per wholesale. Captive-bred species are better than wild-caught, as they can become stressed in captivity.
Wild-caught rough-green snakes can also carry many parasites.
Health and Lifespan
A young rough-green snake can live up to 15 years if it is properly cared for. Some specimens can live up to 22 years. Wild-caught specimens live for a shorter time due to parasite-related health problems.
Although they can be quite strong, rough green snakes can become susceptible to respiratory diseases. These infections are caused by high humidity levels exceeding 65%. The snake then inhales through its mouth, and the discharge from their nose.
Take your pet to the vet if this happens.
A weak immune system can lead to mouth rot, another common health problem. It manifests as swelling and bubbles in the mouth.
If the infection continues untreated, the snake could lose its teeth.
Rough-green snakes can also be infected by fungal and bacterial infections due to an unhealthy environment. You can help your snake avoid all of these problems by providing a safe environment with the right temperature and humidity.
Facts
- The rough green snake is highly arboreal. It spends most of its time climbing small trees and vines.
- These snakes are also known as vine snakes and garden snakes.
- Although the IUCN has listed the rough green snake as “Least Concern”, its population is at risk from urbanization.
- They are often used in the pet trade, as there are hundreds of them in the wild each year. It is best to obtain your rough green snake from an experienced breeder.
In Summary
The rough green snake is an interesting pet that’s non-venomous and entertaining to observe. It is quite long at between 20 and 32 inches so you will need at least 20 gallons to house one specimen.
As the snake is a keen climber, make sure your enclosure has plenty of vertical space. The tank should be set on a timer as the snakes need 12 to 14 hours of light each day.
The snake is primarily a insect-feeder, eating twice to thrice per week. The rough green snake can be stressed by constant handling. You should allow the pet to get used to your touch.
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