Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus)

Short answers

Rough green snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Single animal from 90×45×90 cm according to the official formula (1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); proven in practice are 100×50×80 cm or 60×45×120 cm, pair from 100×50×90 cm. For each additional animal about 20 % more volume.

Rough green snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Rough green snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (diurnal, Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Rough green snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: captive-bred 5–15 years; wild-caught often only 1–3 years.

Rough green snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–29 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C

Humidity

60–80 %, plus a permanently humid hide box with sphagnum

UVB

UVB needed (diurnal, Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

Single animal from 90×45×90 cm according to the official formula (1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); proven in practice are 100×50×80 cm or 60×45×120 cm, pair from 100×50×90 cm. For each additional animal about 20 % more volume.

Substrate

Coco humus, orchid bark or sphagnum, 5 cm or more, very densely planted

Feeding

Food

Soft-bodied insects: crickets, locusts, caterpillars, wax moths – NO rodents; dust with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week (5–8 insects), juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

55–90 cm, individual animals over 110 cm (very slender; females larger)

Life expectancy

captive-bred 5–15 years; wild-caught often only 1–3 years

Origin

The south-eastern and south-central USA, north-western Mexico

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; prefer captive-bred animals to wild-caught ones

Brumation

No strict winter rest is needed; a slight drop in temperature and light in winter encourages breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is safe and trouble-free. A pair or small group (2–3 animals) is possible — one of the few colubrids that tolerate this, as it defends no territory — but only in a large, densely planted enclosure, and it is harder to see whether every animal is eating enough.

Notes

Dense planting at several heights is the most important factor – without enough cover there is chronic stress. UVB is essential (untypical for colubrids). A strict insect eater (no rodents), prone to stress, and barely to be handled. Wild-caught animals often die early; prefer captive-bred ones.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) – Expert
• Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
• African house snake (Boaedon fuliginosus) – Beginner
• False water cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) – Experts
• Spotted house snake (Boaedon maculatus) – Beginner
• Western whip snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) – Intermediate
• Striped house snake (Boaedon lineatus) – Beginner
• Oriental vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina) – Experts

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (Single animal from 90×45×90 cm according to the official formula (1.0 × 0.5 × 1.0 of total length); proven in practice are 100×50×80 cm or 60×45×120 cm, pair from 100×50×90 cm. For each additional animal about 20 % more volume.), substrate (Coco humus, orchid bark or sphagnum, 5 cm or more, very densely planted), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.