Smooth Greensnake Missouri Department of Conservation

Smooth greensnakes have been declared extirpated from Missouri, but perhaps someone may rediscover this gentle snake in grasslands in northern Missouri. Unlike the more common northern rough greensnake, the smooth greensnake lives in grasslands (not wooded areas) and would only be expected to occur in northern Missouri (not the Ozarks). The smooth greensnake is a small, gentle, secretive species. The upperside color is bright green without any markings. The belly is plain white or with some yellow color along the sides. Individuals in the upper Midwest may be a uniform light tan instead of green, but this color form has not been reported in Missouri. The upperside scales are smooth (not keeled and rough-feeling). Upon death, greensnakes turn pale blue. When captured, a specimen may struggle to escape but seldom attempts to bite. Similar species: The northern rough greensnake (O. aestivus aestivus) is more common in Missouri. Its upperside scales are ridged, so it feels rough to the touch (not smooth). It is slightly larger and has a proportionately longer tail. Also, it generally lives in trees and shrubs (not grasslands), usually near water, and is most abundant in the Ozarks (not limited to northern Missouri).

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