Eastern Fox Snake

Class:  Reptilia

Order:  Squamata

Family:   Colubridae

Genus: Elaphe

Distribution: The eastern fox snake's original home range ran along the shores of the Lakes Huron and Erie, from Georgian and Saginaw Bays to north central Ohio, and eastward along the northern shore of Lake Erie to Long Point and perhaps Buffalo. Today the eastern fox snake can be found from Saginaw Bay along the shore of Lake Huron south to the western edge of Lake Erie.

Description: The two morphologically similar species of fox snake-- the eastern (Elaphe gloydi) and the western (Elaphe vulpina), were, until recently, considered subspecies under the latter name. Fox snakes range from 36-54 inches in length when mature (the record being 70.5 inches). The dorsal surface varies in color from a yellowish color to light brown, with dark blotches ranging in color from chocolate to black. The head will also vary in color from brown to a distinctly reddish color. Fox snakes have a yellow colored belly that is checkered with black. The scales are weakly keeled and they have a divided anal plate. Young snakes are paler in color, spots are rich brown and edged with a black or dark brown band, and they have a dark transverse line anterior to their eyes and a line from their eye to the angle of the jaw.

The eastern fox snake can be differentiated from the western fox snake by the number of blotches present on the dorsal surface. Eastern fox snakes have fewer blotches (average 34) than do western fox snakes (average 41). The blotches on the eastern fox snake are 4, 5, or 6 scales in length, while the western fox snake's blotches are 3 to 4 scales in length. Their ranges do not presently overlap; the western fox snake occurs in prairies, farmlands, and open woodlands of the western Great Lakes.

Adaptations:

Status: THREATENED: The loss & pollution of wetland habitats, indiscriminate killing by people who think the fox snake is venomous, illegal collecting, and road kills are all factors in the decline of fox snakes . Any sightings of this snake should be reported to local wildlife authorities.

General:Eastern fox snakes are generally considered to be docile animals. They do have several defense mechanisms in which they will use if they feel threatened. The fox snake will become aggressive and strike when it feels threatened, but will normally try to avoid any confrontations.

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