Long, skinny and green

The rough green snake is a small slender nonvenomous snake native to the southeast quarter of the United States. In Missouri it is common south of the Missouri River.

The rough green snake is sometimes called "green grass snake." This snake is docile. It will gently wrap itself around your finger or hand if you pick it up. It has a very small head and will probably make no effort to bite. This snake spends most of its time off the ground in bushes and weeds, searching for insects to eat.

I picked this one up, examined it, measured it and then turned it loose. It is 22 1/2 inches long. The record length for this snake is more than 3 feet long.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more of Horrell's work at the Painted Wren Gallery in downtown Cape Girardeau.