Fox Snake

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{{taxobox | color=pink | name=Fox snake | image = Pantherophis_gloydi.jpg | image_width = 235px | image_caption = Eastern Fox Snake, Pantherophis gloydi | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Reptilia | ordo = Squamata | familia = Colubridae | genus = Pantherophis | species = See text }}

There are two species of non-venomous rat snake commonly referred to as fox snakes, the eastern fox snake and the western fox snake. They average between 90 and 130cm at adult size, but larger specimins have been reported. They are typically tan or grey in color with chocolate-brown blotches down their back and yellowish accents. The eastern fox snake has less blotches, that tend to be larger in size, than those of the western fox snake. Until recently they were considered to be the same species, Elaphe vulpina, with the western fox snake being Elaphe vulpina vulpina and the eastern fox snake Elaphe vulpina gloydi. They were reclassified and each granted full species status.

• Western Fox Snake, Pantherophis vulpina (Baird and Girard, 1853)
• Eastern Fox Snake, Pantherophis gloydi (Conant, 1940)

Habitat & Status

The eastern fox snake ranges in the states of Ohio and eastern Michigan, and the Canadian province of Ontario in flat, marshy areas along the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Erie. The western fox snake occurs in the open forests, prairies, and farmlands of western Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Their ranges are not known to overlap.

The state of Michigan lists the eastern fox snake as a threatened, largely due to habitat loss.

Image:Pantherophis vulpina.jpg

Behaviour & Reproduction

Fox snakes are primarily diurnal and terrestrial, rodent feeding snakes, but sometimes will also eat birds, rabbits and juveniles often consume frogs and other small animals. They kill their prey via constriction. Like many colubrid snakes, when harassed they will vibrate their tails, which frequently results in them to be mistaken for rattlesnakes. They are also capable of releasing a musky anal secretion which purportedly smells fox-like, hence their name.

Mating occurs in the late spring and early summer months. A clutch averaging 15-20 eggs is laid in mid summer and normally hatches in early fall. In the winter months fox snakes will hibernate, often congregating with other snakes in suitable den sites.