Fox Snake
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| Fox Snake | ||||||||||||||
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| Elaphe vulpina Baird and Girard, 1853 |
A Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina) is a species of rat snake. There are two subspecies, both native to a small portion of central North America. Fox Snakes are found further north than most rat snake species.
- The Western Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina vulpina) is distinguished by a yellowish head.
- The Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina gloydi) is distinguished by reddish head
They receive their name from the unpleasant odor they are know to emit when captured.
Fox Snakes feed primarily on rodents, though young specimen are known to feed on frogs. They find themselves most at home in woodlands or in prairies and meadows.