At times it is almost semi-aquatic, freely entering shallow bodies of water. These snakes are often found in thickets of poison ivy, or poison oak, preventing capture on various occasions. This habitat is directly related to the availability of food. The food, which of course thrives and makes up the species diet in this microhabitat, is crickets, grasshoppers, month larvae, butterfly larvae, and spiders. O. aestivus is egg laying.
Reproduction occurs spring and summer rainfall strongly effects the well being of the species.
The abundant insects available in rainy years mean higher fat levels among the adult O. aestivus . Which has a direct impact on his ability to survive the winter and determines female's egg laying capacity. Rainfall also influences the survival the laid eggs, which may range in numbers between three and 12. These eggs are deposited in grass roots or decomposing logs. The eggs are highly vulnerable to desiccation.