Harmless · North Carolina
Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Bright green, slender, and often seen in vegetation.
At a glance
Size
Usually 22-32 inches.
North Carolina range
Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
shrubs, vines, wetland edges
Diet
Mostly insects and spiders.
Pattern
solid
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Very slender, bright green snake with a pale yellow or white belly and visibly keeled scales.
Where to look in North Carolina
Found mainly in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Shrubs, vines, low trees, and vegetation near streams, ponds, and wetlands.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
