Smooth greensnakes have been declared extirpated from Missouri, but perhaps someone may rediscover this gentle snake in grassy meadows in the northern half of the state. The smooth greensnake is a slender, light green snake devoid of any markings, with a yellow or cream-colored belly.
This rare species differs from the northern rough greensnake by having smooth scales, a smaller size, and a more northern distribution in Missouri. Upon death, both species of greensnakes turn a pale blue.
Habitat and Conservation
Food
Status
Human Connections
When humans apply pesticides to destroy insects, they often indirectly harm populations of the animals that feed upon insects. For this reason, and because humans have developed, altered or fragmented its habitat, this species has apparently entirely disappeared from our state. But we can still hope to rediscover them.
This harmless snake struggles to escape, but it seldom attempts to bite when handled.
Ecosystem Connections
