SCIENTIFIC NAME
Opheodrys vernalis
DESCRIPTION
Often called grass snakes, smooth green snakes, as their name implies, are an emerald green colour with a white or yellow underside. This small- to medium-sized snake has smooth scales and ranges in size from 30 to 60 cm.
RANGE
Found from the Maritime provinces west to Saskatchewan, smooth green snakes have a fairly broad distribution in Canada.
HABITAT
They are often found in grassy areas such as meadows, pastures, abandoned farmland, woodland edges, city parks, lawns and gardens.
DIET
Smooth green snakes mainly eat bugs including crickets, spiders, grasshoppers, slugs, snails and caterpillars; however they have been known to feed on salamanders too. They spot their prey with their keen sense of smell, sight and also through vibrations.
BEHAVIOUR
undefinedPRIMARY ECOSYSTEM ROLES
| Photo: Steve Anderson |
By Terri-Lee Reid
A Snake’s Life
Smooth green snakes are active during the day and are often found basking on logs and rocks. When they feel threatened they quickly find protection in grass or will retreat under rocks or other debris. They are normally found on the ground but they are good climbers and can also be found climbing vegetation.
In the winter they hibernate with other snakes, even with other reptile species. In Ontario, 100 to 150 snakes have been found together in one hibernaculum.
Snacking Snakes
Smooth green snakes are not venomous. While they may emit an offensive secretion if handled, they rarely bite. In fact, smooth green snakes actually carry out an important ecological function that certainly benefits people — they control insect populations that many of us consider pests.
Backyard Buddies
To encourage this mild-mannered snake to your backyard, make piles of rocks, logs or leaves for shelter. Also, leaving dense foliage close to the ground will provide this snake with a sense of security. You can help them to over winter in your yard by building them a hibernaculum.
And remember, because smooth green snakes are so dependent on insects for their survival, avoid the use of pesticides. Get more information on gardening organically.
This gentle smooth green snake will be a benefit to your backyard!
