Fox Snake
Elaphe vulpina

by Jeff LeClere

Status

No status assigned in Minnesota.

Description

Measuring 36 to 56 inches in length, this is one of Minnesota's larger nonvenomous species of snake (Conant and Collins, 1991). Ground color ranges from a dark straw yellow to a dark brown. Occasionally, there may be orange, yellow, or reddish pigment between the scales. There are large distinct body blotches that are very dark brown or black. These blotches become rings on the tail. The head is usually unmarked except for a small design on top and may be light brown with yellow, orange, or reddish highlights. The belly is a dirty yellow with black checkering. Young Fox Snakes are noticeably lighter than adults having a light brown or gray ground color and lighter body blotches with black outlining. The head is usually boldly marked with black lines, the most conspicuous of these being the line that travels diagonally from the eye to the angle of the jaw and the line on top of the head connecting the eyes. As with all North American Rat Snakes, the scales are weakly keeled (poorly defined keels on the dorsal scales and smooth lateral scales) and the anal plate is divided.

Subspecies

There are two species of Fox Snakes (Collins, 1997). The Western Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina) and the Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe gloydi). The western species having a darker ground and head color and having an average of 41 blotches on the body. The Eastern Fox Snake is lighter in color; there is a stronger tendency toward a reddish head in this species, and the body blotches are larger and average 34 in number (Conant and Collins, 1991). The Western Fox Snake is the only species found in Minnesota. The Eastern Fox Snake was formerly considered a subspecies (Elaphe vulpina gloydi) of the Western Fox Snake until recently. Of course, there is debate over the legitimacy of the change, but I have chosen to use Collins, 1997 simply to remain consistent with this series.

Range

The Fox Snake in Minnesota has the greatest number of records along the Mississippi and St. Croix River Valleys, but this snake also stretches westwardly into Minnesota via the Minnesota River. Scattered southwestern records indicate its presence in the Missouri River Valley (Breckenridge, 1944, Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). A number of south central counties are missing records where this snake has been sighted and where it should occur (LeClere, 1996).

Habitat

This snake occupies moister habitats than other large Minnesota snakes (Breckenridge, 1944, Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). Woodland and woodland edges, prairies, lowland meadows, and rocky outcroppings near rivers provide food, shelter, and overwintering sites for Fox Snakes.

Habits

Fox snakes are very active during the day especially in the spring but often again in the fall as well. During the hot summer months, Fox Snakes choose to move about at night just like many other Minnesota snake species. When encountered, Fox Snakes are usually very passive opting to flee even when cornered. When handled, they usually do not strike or bite, but they may release a mild musk from their scent glands at the base of the tail. The musk smells like that of a red fox, hence the common name (Vogt, 1981). More excitable specimens, especially juveniles, will coil and strike with a short, forced hiss (LeClere, 1996). They will also vibrate their tails producing a rattling or buzzing sound. This behavior often causes them to be misidentified as Rattlesnakes, Bullsnakes, and because of their copper-colored head, Copperheads. They are often killed because of this. Bullsnakes have a much more pointed snout and are harmless also. Minnesota¼s Timber Rattlesnakes have thin, black bands (not spots) across the body and have a rattle at the end of their solid black tails. Fox Snakes have large, dark spots on the body, no rattle, and the tail is not solid black. Copperheads do not occur in, or even close to, Minnesota, and Copperheads are much more orange in overall coloration without any dark brown or black spots.

Fox Snakes emerge from hibernation in April and are active until October. They hibernate in rocky crevices or man-made structures that extend below the frostline (Jessen, 1993). They mate in spring. Females are oviparous and lay about 10 - 20 eggs. The young hatch in July or August and are about 8 - 12 inches in length.

These snakes spend most hot summer days beneath debris that retains the sun¼s warmth. They are strong snakes and can climb with ease. However, most prefer to travel along the ground. They also swim well and make use of this ability. Many Fox Snakes have been found crossing rivers or well away from the shores of ponds or lakes (Breckenridge, 1944). Fox Snakes may travel a great deal during the active part of their season. Many of these snakes are hit by automobiles as a result of their frequent road crossings and that they may bask on the road for warmth (Breckenridge, 1944, Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994, Jessen and LeClere, personal observation). Males are often hit in the spring, and females are often hit during egg laying season as the females search for suitable sites to lay their eggs. In the fall, neonates traveling to their hibernaculums are most often hit by automobiles (Blasus and LeClere, pers. obs.).

Food

Fox Snakes are valuable consumers of rodents, which make up the bulk of their diet. Young Fox snakes may feed on frogs or young mice (Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). Adults have been known to eat birds and their eggs (Vogt, 1981). I found a large female crossing the road at dusk with bird feathers hanging from the corners of her mouth and a lump in her stomach. This snake belongs to the Rat Snake group and is a powerful constrictor.