I spotted a Rough Green Snake crossing a road in Arkansas’s Ouachita National Forest. A dark spot on the side of its head caught my attention. I had never noticed a mark like that on one of these snakes before.
A Closer Look at the Rough Green Snake With Dark Spot
In the photo, you can see the dark patch behind the snake’s eye. It stands out against the green scales. The snake also has its forked tongue extended.
After the encounter, I looked for information about the unusual mark. However, I could not confirm what caused it. I don’t know whether it had any effect on the snake’s health.
I can document the spot in my photograph, but I can’t determine its cause from the image alone.
Photographing the Green Snake at Road Level
I sat on the road to photograph the snake from a low angle. From that position, I could capture the side of its head and the mark that drew my attention.
I used my Canon EOS 7D Mark II with a Canon EF 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6L IS II lens. I also carried the camera with a BlackRapid strap.
The photograph shows the snake against the road’s gravel surface, with its head and eye in view.
Another Rough Green Snake Road Encounter
During summer, I enjoy photo walks along roads in the Ouachita National Forest. I find a variety of wildlife there, including snakes.
I also photographed another Rough Green Snake crossing an asphalt road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
With this Arkansas snake, I came away with a closer look at a marking I hadn’t seen before. Its cause remains an open question.