Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been doing some research on snakes in general as I'm looking for the right species for a first snake. I was beginning to have my heart set on the Rough Green Snake, and then I came across something in a book I was reading. The author put the Opheodrys species in his top ten worst list. He said that they required more food and were delicate and discouraged beginners having them.

But on petco.com, there is a care sheet for Rough Greens and says that they are dainty, gentle, and easy to handle.

If anyone has had some hands on experience, that'd be really nice. I just want to understand this more.

Thanks in advance!

-Kione

I have heard similar things about the rough green presenting a challenge to many people but do not have any experience with that species. I've worked a little with the smooth green and found it to be as challenging as all the books say. Wayne (dekaybrown) will probably post here later today telling you to forget about the Rough Greensnake and to get a Chinese or Asian Greensnake (Cyclophiops major) as they are supposed to get larger, are more friendly, and easier to care for. It is very closely related to our smooth greensnake and all three of the species mentioned in this post used to be in the same genus. I'll let Wayne give you the rundown since he actually owns one.

That being said though I think that if you were dedicated enough you could successfully keep a rough green even as a first snake. They have more specific humidity requirements than most beginner snakes so someone else here may recommend you try something a little easier.

Thanks for the words Kiley

Any of the green snakes are high maintenance snakes.

Personally I would recommend a Garter or Corn snake as a first time serpent pet.

If you are going to be away for a few days at a time, you would certainly not want your pet back home suffering in your absence.

Smooth Green, Rough Green and Asian greens are best kept in a tall arboreal enclosure with a small tree or fake vines. Require misting at least a couple times a day to keep humidity up, and constant feedings.

petco (I'm sorry) does not seem to have the animals best interests in mind, and I have seen more than one sick reptile for sale. whenever I ask associates about things that they should know, they are bewildered at best.

They actually recommend Iguanas and Anoles to first time reptile owners! Both are very hard to keep, and sadly the failure rate as pets is alarmingly high.

Kudos to you for doing some research first

Regards,
Wayne A. Harvey

our critters

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1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garter Snakes
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - common Garter - Princess
0.0.1 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky"
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER" CB
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

Okay, thanks a bunch!!

=]

>>> "They actually recommend Iguanas and Anoles to first time reptile owners!"

It is rather funny(really more sad though) how many pet stores "push" people to by more delicate, and needing types of animals. Most people haven't got the first clue as to how to raise either one, nor the basic requirements. It's often about simply moving their inventory, and getting hopeful repeat business when the animal they previously sold expires.

I always feel so bad for most of the animals in a pet store, as the majority will have a very dim future to look forward to.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Doug! First time I have seen you in the small snakes forum.

Wayne
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1.0.0 Ball Python - Python regius "Cane" Rescue
1.2.9 Storeria dekayi Casper, Xena, Athena, & Kids
0.0.2 Thamnophis marcianus - Checkered Garters "spot" & "Zig"
0.0.1 Thamnophis sirtalis - eastern Garter - Princess
1.0.0 Thamnophis pickeringi - Puget Sound Garter "Sky" (adult, Sky blue)
0.0.1 Nerodia sipedon - Water Snake - "Aqua"
0.1.10 Storeria occipitomaculata - Red Belly snakes
0.0.1 Amelanistic Corn Snake "CY" Juvinile CB
0.1.0. Pueblan Milk snake "Oreo" adult CB
1.0.0. ASIAN GREEN SNAKE 3' WC Cyclophiops major
0.0.1. Savannah Monitor "CHOMPER"
0.1.0. Green Anole "Crystal" WC
1.0.0. K9 "ACE" Black Cockapoo
0.2.0. Feline"Felix"(R.I.P. 4/27/08) "Kaja" & "Silver"
0.1.0. calico RAT
2.4.?? Mice - Feeder farm - Crickets / fish
More herps than I could ever list out back on the land.

he's always watching though!

actually, here's in here somewhat often whenever he has something relevant to add. scroll down a little and you'll find him

LOL!,...yeah, as mentioned below, I sometimes float over here when there's not a bunch of activity on some of the other forums I usually frequent. It makes for an interesting change now and then.

Take care guys!

~Doug
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc140/DMong_bucket/000_0502.jpg




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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I had a rough green a couple years ago, and while I would not recommend them for beginners, they aren't that hard to keep.
I used one of the mesh sided arboreal enclosures and kept a small number of crickets in at all times and as large a water dish as I could fit. Also set up some plastic foliage and dowel rod "tower" for climbing. Misted at least once a day. The tricky part is that these guys are VERY fast snakes. Mine wasn't nippy, but they aren't cuddly.
(I think the mesh enclosure is an exoterra product. Made for lizards.)

My two cents,
Murri

Don't believe the hype, nor the conventional wisdom.
I keep mine dry, mist occasionally, and steady water supply. Crickets weekly or once every 2 weeks.
Provide places to hide, burrow, and climb.
They flail like mad when handled and musk some.
They eat crickets and grasshoppers, but not roaches or beetles. They LOVE smooth caterpillars.
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Capitol Breeders is:
http://www.freewebs.com/capitolbreeders/index.htm