rough green snake care sheet Rough green snakes are small, dainty snakes with a beautiful emerald color. They are gentle and easy to handle, but can be very quick. facts average adult size: 2½ to 3 feet long, average life span: up to 15+ years with proper care diet: insectivore Will reach adult size in 2 to 3 years, under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as your snake grows. Note: The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, refer to the Sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate. Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian. rough green snake Developed with and approved Opheodrys aestivus care sheet by a qualified veterinarian. diet housing normal behavior signs of a A well-balanced rough n Size - Appropriately sized n As snake gets ready to healthy animal green snake diet consists and shaped habitat for an shed, eyes will turn a milky n Active and alert of: adult rough green snake blue/grey over the course n n Gut-loaded (recently fed) to accommodate normal of a few days and body Clear eyes (except when crickets, mealworms or behavior and exercise, at color will start to dull and shedding) superworms, as rough least a 20L tank. develop a whitish sheen. n Eats regularly green snakes are one of May become irritable, so n Substrate - Mulch type, n Healthy skin the few insectivore snakes. avoid handling. Appetite coconut fiber bedding, may vary. dampened sphagnum n Sheds skin regularly in one feeding complete piece Things to remember moss and reptile bark. habitat when feeding your rough n Habitat - Provide a hiding maintenance n Free of mites and ticks green snake: area just large enough for n Thoroughly clean and n Feed once or twice a week. your snake to fit inside and disinfect the habitat n Sprinkle food with calcium a branch or décor to climb at least once a week: supplement daily and a on. Maintain 40 to 60% place snake in a secure multi-vitamin supplement humidity; higher during habitat; scrub the tank once or twice a week. shedding. and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse n Temperature - n Fresh, clean, chlorine-free thoroughly with water, Temperature gradient water should be available removing all traces of (80°F for the warm end at all times in a large bleach smell; dry the tank and 70° for the cool end). enough bowl for your and furnishings completely snake to soak in. n Provide a basking area and add clean substrate. about 85 to 88°F to aid digestion. grooming and hygiene n Lighting - Snakes need a n Snakes will regularly shed photo period light cycle; their skin; ensure humidity provide 8 to 12 hours of of habitat is at appropriate light daily. Don’t leave level to allow snake to shed white light on at all times; properly. a black or infrared light should be used at night. n Do not house different snake species together. red flags common health issues n Unusually frequent n Bumps or spots on Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action or infrequent skin Dermatitis Blisters, rapid shedding Consult your shedding n Labored breathing caused by an unclean habitat veterinarian, clean or one that is too cold or the habitat and lower n Vomiting n Difficulty shedding damp. humidity. n Lethargic or Respiratory Labored breathing, mucus Consult your n White, cheesy disease in mouth or nostrils. Can be veterinarian and keep reluctant to eat substance in mouth caused by a habitat that is snake warm and dry. too cold or damp. n Abnormal feces Stomatitis White, cheesy substance in Immediately consult the mouth, loss of teeth and your veterinarian. appetite. If untreated, can be fatal. Ticks and mites Parasites on skin, can Consult your transmit disease. veterinarian. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian. shopping list for needed supplies q Appropriately sized habitat q Substrate q Moss q Water dish q Hideaway place q Climbing décor q Heat light/emitter q Heat fixture q Plants q Under-tank heater (optional) q Calcium and vitamin supplement q Cricket keeper q Cricket food q Cricket quencher q Thermometer q Humidity gauge q Book about rough green snakes sources Ask a store partner about Petco’s selection of books on rough green snakes and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All private brand products carry a 100% money-back guarantee. Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease. Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for reptiles and should consider not having a reptile as a pet. Go to cdc.gov/healthypets and petco.com/ caresheet for more information about small animals and disease. This Care Sheet can cover the care needs of other species. Go to petco.com for more information. © 2016, Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. All rights reserved. (06/2016).