Smooth Green Snake

Friday was one of those magic fall days. The foliage of Red Maples showing subtle shades of pink and yellow around wetlands. Clear bue skies dotted with occasional fair weather clouds hide the distant shapes of Broad-winged Hawks and Accipiters.

   Over the last couple years I have placed a few cover boards, 2' X 4' pieces of plywood in managed fields at Quabbin. These boards have been used by researchers to monitor many species of vertebrates including snakes and salamanders. These boards for the most part are great for attracting crickets and ants, fun for some of us, but a pain for budding herpetologists. One board out of all the ones I have placed has been a gold mine of snake encounters. Snakes including Common Garter Thamnophis sirtalis, Ring-necked Diadophis punctatus and Brown Storeria dekayi have all been found under this particular board in 2009. This time lifting the board produced the awesome sight of this Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis.

It has been a couple years since my last sighting of this species. Growing up in Royalston I encountered them often around the yard at Tully Dam. I would see them in the overgrown lawn when mowing and the pattern of the cutting would show the swerve as I moved to miss these little guys in their escape. Intensive mowing, domestic animals, and general habitat loss have taken their toll on these beautiful creatures and now I am thrilled to find even one of these emerald jewels.

I would be interested to recieve images and location information on snakes in the Central Massachusetts. Hognose Snakes Heterodon platirhinos is of particular interest as they are now hard to find in many historic locations. Remember to always report observations of state listed species to MNHESP

There are still warm days left and time to have our last looks at our reptile friends before they disappear for winter.

dave@dhsmall.net
http://dhsmall.blogspot.com/