Smooth green snake

The smooth green snake occurs throughout the northeastern United States, from Missouri and the Dakotas in the west to the eastern seaboard from the northern half New Jersey in the south to Nova Scotia in the north. Their range also extends south along the Appalachian Mountains into West Virginia, and western Virginia. Smooth green snakes are only found in the northern half of New Jersey; rough green snakes can be found in the southern portion of the state.

This snake prefers upland grassy areas, especially grassy or rocky meadows. It is largely a terrestrial species, rarely climbing as opposed to the rough green snake which is an arboreal species.

This species eats mostly insects (especially caterpillars, grasshoppers, and crickets) and spiders.

Smooth green snakes are primarily active during the day and are usually active between the months of April to September in New Jersey.

This species is sexually mature within 2 years of age. 3-18 eggs are laid during the summer and hatch within 30 days. The eggs are laid under objects in damp areas, in rotting logs, or underground and this species may nest communally. They may also hibernate in large groups of up to 100-150 individuals. They have been known to hibernate in abandoned ant mounds.

In 2016, the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Advisory Committee recommended a Special Concern status for this species within the state, but no formal rule proposal has been filed to date. The Special Concern status is largely due to population declines and habitat loss. Reasons for the decline in their population are loss of habitat, illegal capture for the pet trade, road mortality, and direct killing. This species, like many snakes, has an undeserved bad reputation and they are often killed, which is illegal in New Jersey.

HOW TO HELP

The Endangered and Nongame Species Program would like for individuals to report their sightings of smooth green snakes. Record the date, time, location, and condition of the animal and submit the information by submitting a Sighting Report Form. The information will be entered into the state’s natural heritage program, commonly referred to as Biotics. Biologists map the sighting and the resulting maps “allow state, county, municipal, and private agencies to identify important wildlife habitats and protect them in a variety of ways. This information is used to regulate land-use within the state and assists in preserving endangered and threatened species habitat remaining in New Jersey.”