Pantherophis vulpina
| Pantherophis vulpinus | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Pantherophis |
| Species: | P. vulpinus |
| Binomial name | |
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Pantherophis vulpinus (Baird & Girard, 1853) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Pantherophis vulpinus, commonly known as the western or eastern fox snake (or foxsnake), is a species of rat snake that is endemic to North America. It is non-venomous.
Between about 1990 and 2011, foxsnakes were sometimes divided into two species, with P. vulpinus as the western foxsnake, and P. gloydi as the eastern foxsnake. A 2011 paper by Crother, White, Savage, Eckstut, Graham, Gardner proposed instead that the Mississippi River be established as the species boundary between two species of foxsnakes, and that those found to its east be considered P. vulpinus (including those previously known as P. gloydi ) and those found to its west be given the new name P. ramspotti. This proposed that P. vulpinus, which had been known as the western foxsnake, become known as the eastern foxsnake, and the new P. ramspotti become known as the western foxsnake. Thus, P. vulpinus is sometimes called the western foxsnake and sometimes called the eastern foxsnake.
The specific name, vulpinus, (meaning fox-like) is in honor of Rev. Charles Fox (1815–1854), collector of the holotype, an academic play on words.
Other common names for P. vulpinus include bull snake, copperhead, corn snake, Fox racer, Fox's black snake, hardwood rattler, pine snake, prairie fox snake, pilot, racer, red-headed Coluber, spotted adder, and timber snake.
Adult eastern foxsnakes are 3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 m) in total length (including tail), and have a short, flattened snout. Dorsally, they are usually light golden brown with dark brown spots, and they have a yellow checkerboard pattern on the belly.
Like most North American snakes, foxsnakes are not venomous. Foxsnakes earned their name because the musk they give off when threatened smells similar to a fox.
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Wikipedia