Smooth green snake is one of the most beautiful in North America

Smooth green snakes are a brilliant emerald green. Born brown or bluish gray, they begin life with a drab coloured skin until the first shed. They emerge from this shed with the vibrant colour that this young snake displays. Found on a small island in Ontario, Canada, this snake enjoys life in a beautiful location with access to insects and spiders, ants, slugs, and caterpillars.
But life on the this island comes with the same risks that other snakes face. It will have to avoid predation from foxes, hawks, herons, raccoons, and even bears. Another risk for this snake is overcollection for commercial sale. The appealing colour makes it highly desirable for the pet trade, but these snakes do not survive well in captivity.
One of the greatest threats to these beautiful snakes is the application of pesticides. Because the snakes rely completely on insects for food, they are greatly affected by the toxins in the food chain. They are also greatly affected by the reduction of available food.
When the smooth green snake hunts, it turns its head from side to side, finding prey with its tongue. The flicking of the tongue gathers air near the snake's head. It has an organ on the roof of its mouth that it uses to detect airborne pheromones and chemical signals. The green snake has no ears, relying on vibrations to figure out its surroundings. Due to the stretchy ligaments in its jaw, it can swallow prey whole, even prey that is larger than its own body diameter.
The smooth green snake sheds its skin as often as every four to five weeks to allow for growth.
Understanding the importance of animals such as these to the delicate balance of nature is the first step in helping us avoid losing them forever.