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Fox snake

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Subphylum
  
Vertebrata

Order
  
Squamata

Phylum
  
Chordata

Class
  
Reptilia

Suborder
  
Serpentes

Fox snake Fox snake Wikipedia

Representative species
  
Pantherophis gloydi, Pantherophis vulpinus

What does the fox snake say


Fox snake or Foxsnake is the common name given to two species of North American rat snakes: the western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) and the eastern fox snake (Pantherophis gloydi). Neither poses a threat to humans, but is killed by many people who mistake it for the venomous massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), which shares parts of its geographic range with both species of fox snakes.

Contents

Fox snake Reptiles and Amphibians of Ontario A New Ontario Reptile and

Geographic range

Fox snake MObugs Western Fox Snake

The eastern fox snake (Pantherophis gloydi) is uncommon throughout its restricted range in Ontario, Michigan, and Ohio, where it is found only near Lakes Huron and Erie.

Fox snake wwwmichigangovimagesfoxsnake1015557jpg

The western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpinus) occurs in the open forests, prairies, and farmlands of western Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.

Their ranges do not overlap.

Taxonomy

Until recently the eastern and western fox snakes were considered to be subspecies of Elaphe vulpina, with the western fox snake being Elaphe vulpina vulpina and the eastern fox snake Elaphe vulpina gloydi.

Fox snake Wildlife Encounters Natural History of the Fox Snake

Utiger et al. (2002) argued that North American rat snakes of the genus Elaphe are a monophyletic group and thus separate from Old World members of the genus. They therefore resurrected the available name Pantherophis Fitzinger for all North American taxa (north of Mexico).

Fox snake Minnesota Wildlife Control Fox Snake

However, much controversy over the taxonomic suggestion surfaced and the International Committee for Zoological Nomenclature has not supported the change. In 2008, Crother et al. retained the taxonomic change to Pantherophis "until further data are collected".

  • Western Foxsnake, Pantherophis vulpinus (Baird and Girard, 1853)
  • Eastern Foxsnake, Pantherophis gloydi (Conant, 1940)
  • Behavior

    Fox snakes are primarily diurnal and terrestrial, rodent feeding snakes. The western fox snake takes a range of suitably sized mammals including mice, rats and even small rabbits while the eastern fox snake specializes in meadow voles and takes other prey much less frequently. Birds and other animals are also occasional prey. Both kill their prey by constriction, though small prey may be eaten without constriction.

    Fox snakes, like many other harmless snakes, sometimes mimic rattlesnakes by vibrating their tails. This defensive strategy backfired when humans began persecuting rattlesnakes and, with them, fox snakes. They are generally docile animals but may bite when molested. Their bite feels like very small needle punctures, but does not do any lasting damage. The bite is primarily used for holding purposes.

    In the winter months fox snakes will hibernate, often congregating with other snakes, even those of other species, in suitable den sites.

    When handled, the fox snake will produce a musky odor similar to that of the red fox; this is the origin of the common name "fox snake".

    Reproduction

    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.

    Conservation status

    The state of Michigan lists the eastern fox snake as threatened, largely due to habitat loss. In Ontario the eastern fox snake is listed as threatened and protected by the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The extent of their decline is currently the subject of study by biologists at Queen's University. The western fox snake is listed by the state of Missouri as endangered due to prairie loss and wetland drainage.

    References

    Fox snake Wikipedia


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