Smooth Greensnake
Opheodrys vernalis
Size
15–20 in
Status
Endangered
Venomous
No
Region
Northern Indiana
A small, gentle grass-green snake of northern grasslands, now state endangered in Indiana. Rarely encountered.
Identification
A small, uniform green snake with smooth scales and a white to pale yellow belly. It is shorter and stockier than the Rough Green Snake. Adults are typically 15–20 inches. It fades to bluish after death, which can cause confusion.
Habitat & Diet
Lives in moist meadows, prairies, and grassy openings, where it hunts insects and spiders close to the ground. It is a poor climber compared with its rough-scaled cousin.
Conservation in Indiana
Listed as State Endangered, having declined sharply with the loss of native grasslands and heavy pesticide use, which reduces its insect prey. Grassland restoration is key to its recovery.
Similar Species & Taxonomy
The uniform pea-green back and smooth scales distinguish the Smooth Greensnake from the Rough Greensnake, which has keeled scales and a more arboreal habit; both fade to blue after death. A small, gentle, insect-eating snake of grassy places, increasingly uncommon in Indiana. A greensnake (family Colubridae). Formerly placed in its own genus as Liochlorophis vernalis before being returned to the genus Opheodrys.
United States Range Map Distribution
Distribution in Indiana
