Smooth greensnake
(Opheodrys vernalis)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure S4 - Apparently Secure |
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| Minnesota | not listed Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description
Adults can be from 12″ to 24″ in length, though they are usually no more than 20″ long. The scales are smooth, not keeled.
Size
Total length: 14″ to 20″
Similar Species
This is the only bright green snake found in Minnesota.
Habitat
Grassy areas: meadows, prairies, savannas, and woodland edges
Ecology
Behavior
Lifespan
Unknown, but presumed 4 to 10 years
Life Cycle
Food
Mostly soft-bodies insects, especially grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars, but also grubs, worms, and spiders.
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 5/24/2025). |
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| 5/24/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Widespread in Minnesota but in scattered populations |
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Taxonomy
Class
Reptilia (Reptiles)
Superorder
Lepidosauria
Order
Squamata (Snakes and Lizards)
Suborder
Serpentes (Snakes)
Infraorder
Alethinophidia
Superfamily
Colubroidea
Family
Colubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
Subfamily
Colubrinae
Genus
Opheodrys (Green Snakes)
Genus
This species was formerly classified as Opheodrys vernalis and contained three subspecies. The genus Opheodrys contained only two species. A study of the genus by Oldham and Smith in 1991 found significant categorical differences between the two species that suggest divergent evolution. The author separated this species into its own genus, Liochlorophis. Crother in 2000 rejected the split. An analysis of the available evidence by Walley in 2003 supported the split. The same analysis rejected recognition of the three subspecies. Most print and online sources continue to refer to this species by its former classification, and consider Liochlorophis vernalis a synonym. The use of the genus Liochlorophis, though appropriate, has fallen out of usage.
Subordinate Taxa
Synonyms
Coluber vernalis
Liochlorophis vernalis
Opheodrys vermlis ssp. borealis
Opheodrys vernalis ssp. blanchardi
Common Names
grass snake
smooth green snake
smooth greensnake
Visitor Photos
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Dan W. Andree |
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Smooth Green Snake... I seen the snake in the grasses and it seemed to freeze or just remain still. Probably thought I didn’t see it and that I would eventually move on. I filmed it while it was stationary though it did flick its tongue in and out at times and ever so often would slightly sway its head left and right. I was thinking it was possibly trying to mimic the grasses moving in the breeze. After a while I started wondering if I should try catch it or not? |
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Well, as you can see I decided to try and did catch it. It was a little larger than a red-bellied but still a fairly small snake. In the grasses it looked green just like the grass. Only second one I have ever seen while out and about in nature. A real pretty snake and quite harmless. Once it realized I wasn’t a predator or threat it seemed to just kind a look around. I didn’t film much of it in my hand as it was difficult lighting and couldn’t tell at times if it was in focus but did spend a bit longer filming it while it was down in the grasses. |
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Here is another photo of the smooth green snake. It was just before I let the little snake go. I'm not into snakes really, but I really like these little ones. |
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Jeff LeClere |
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Keith Granby |
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seen this little snake crossing the driveway |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
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Slideshows
Smooth Green Snake
Nick Scobel
Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Mike Day
Opheodrys vernalis
Todd Pierson
Visitor Videos
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Dan W. Andree
"Smooth Green Snake" - A Quick Look...Dan W. Andree 2025
Nov 29, 2025
Other Videos
Western Smooth Green Snake (Colubridae: Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi) Locomotion
Carl Barrentine
Smooth Green Snake head start
Daily Reptile News
Snakes of PA: Smooth green snake - timesleader.com
timesleadervideo
Eastern Smooth Green Snake
Flaxalf
Visitor Sightings
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Dan W. Andree
5/22/2025
Location: Norman Co. Mn.
I seen the snake in the grasses and it seemed to freeze or just remain still. Probably thought I didn’t see it and that I would eventually move on.
I filmed it while it was stationary though it did flick its tongue in and out at times and ever so often would slightly sway its head left and right. I was thinking it was possibly trying to mimic the grasses moving in the breeze. After a while I started wondering if I should try catch it or not? Well, as you can see I decided to try and did catch it. It was a little larger than a red-bellied but still a fairly small snake. In the grasses it looked green just like the grass. Only second one I have ever seen while out and about in nature. A real pretty snake and quite harmless. Once it realized I wasn’t a predator or threat it seemed to just kind a look around. I didn’t film much of it in my hand as it was difficult lighting and couldn’t tell at times if it was in focus but did spend a bit longer filming it while it was down in the grasses.
TMJacobson
9/7/2021
Location: Lake Bronson State Park
We saw a smooth green snake in Lake Bronson State Park’s Two Rivers Campground on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Sarah and Claire Fritsch
4/30/2021
Location: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge drive
Keith Granby
9/12/2017
Location: Cass County
seen this little snake crossing the driveway
Jeff LeClere
2006
Location: Pope County
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
