Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just posted a question about snakes that don't require rodents for food and I found the Rough Green Snake through an internet search. On some of the care sheets, it says that a 10 gallon tank is sufficient. It also says that they do not require a UVA/UVB light. It also says they only need fed about 1-2 times a week. Is this all true in your opinions?
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Rough green snakes are relatively arboreal snakes. A ten would be enough for a small one, but a 20 high would probably be better for an adult. Most snakes do not need any UV light, but the greens may be an exception. If not a UV light, I'd at least give them a light that counterfits the full visible spectrum of sunlight. And they are insect eaters so probably need feeding twice a week with a calcium and vitamin supplement. From what I've read, rough greens are relative poor captives and do not take to handling well.

I have never kept a rough green snake, so the above is hearsay. IMHO, the best single source for more information would be John Rossi's book, Snakes of the United States: Keeping Them Healthy in Captivity, vol 1, The Eastern Region.

Paul Hollander

Adult Rough Green snakes can reach 30 inches or more in length, which along with their arboreal nature (they like to climb)makes a 10-gallon too small in my opinion. A 20-gallon is preferable, and like Paul said, the taller the better. Otherwise, the info you have seems correct. They can get by without supplemental lighting, and feeding of insects 1-2 times a week is reasonable.

Rough Greens are slender, attractive snakes that are completely docile in terms of defensive behavior, which is to say they don't bite, don't musk, and don't do anything else that would ever pose a danger to their handlers. But they tend to be nervous as captives, and could dart quickly out of a handler's grasp or lunge out of their enclosure the moment the lid is off. And as far as snakes go, they are more delicate than most due to their slender build. My personal experience is that they are not good eaters in captivity, but other owners have reported otherwise.
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MichaelB