Snakes
Description
20-45 5/8" (51-115.9 cm). Slender arboreal snake; uniform pea-green with a long tapering tail. Belly white to yellowish green. Hatchlings greenish-gray. Scales keeled, in 17 rows. Anal plate divided.
Breeding
Mates spring and fall. Lays 3-12 smooth, rather hard, capsule-shaped eggs, 1 1/2" (28 mm) long, June to August. Young hatch in 5-12 weeks, are 7-8 5/8" (18-22 cm) long. Mature in 1-2 years.
Habitat
Vines, bushes, and trees near water; sea level to 5,000' (1,500 m).
Range
S. New Jersey west to e. Kansas, south to Florida Keys west through Texas into e. Mexico. Isolated populations in se. Iowa, ne. Missouri, w. Texas, and ne. New Mexico.
Discussion
A graceful, mild-tempered tree-dweller. Abroad during the day, it moves slowly through vegetation in search of grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and spiders. Swims well and may take to water when disturbed.
