# Eastern Foxsnake (*Pantherophis vulpinus*) The Eastern Foxsnake is a beautiful snake with yellow and brown colors. It likes to hide in tall grass and is very good at climbing trees. This snake is friendly and helps keep the environment balanced. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Foxsnake ![Eastern Foxsnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Western_Fox_Snake%252C_Elaphe_vulpina%252C_in_Eau_Claire_county%252C_Wisconsin._30_May_2011.jpg&width=800) Photo: Runesm, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Western_Fox_Snake%252C_Elaphe_vulpina%252C_in_Eau_Claire_county%252C_Wisconsin._30_May_2011.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Foxsnake is a large, non-venomous snake with a yellowish or light brown body covered in distinct dark brown or black blotches. Its head is often a reddish-orange, which becomes more vibrant with age. Its scales have faint ridges, giving it a slightly keeled texture. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Pantherophis ## Interesting facts - Despite its intimidating look and tail-rattling, this snake is completely harmless to humans. - Its unique musky scent often smells like a fox, giving it its clever name! - They "taste" the air with their flicking forked tongue to find food and friends. - Unlike many snakes, it loves to hide in old farm buildings and barns. ## Special abilities - **Rattlesnake Impersonator:** Eastern Foxsnake can vibrate its tail rapidly because that helps them mimic a rattlesnake's warning, scaring predators away. - **Mighty Muscles:** Eastern Foxsnake has strong constricting muscles that help them squeeze and subdue their prey quickly. - **Expert Climber:** Eastern Foxsnake can climb trees and shrubs because that helps them find bird nests or escape danger from above. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-180 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 7-27 - **Incubation:** 55-65 days ## Diet & Feeding Snack on small rodents and birds, using their strong bodies to catch a meal! - **Primary Foods:** mice, voles, small birds, bird eggs - **Foraging Methods:** Ambush, Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — They are a meal for large raptors. - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Preys on these small rodents in grassy areas. - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Hunts these common mice in forests and fields. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes sometimes prey on these snakes. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a snake, stay calm and watch from a distance. Never try to touch or catch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Foxsnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Foxsnake? 90-180 cm ### How much does Eastern Foxsnake weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Eastern Foxsnake live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Eastern Foxsnake move? 5 km/h ### What does Eastern Foxsnake eat? Snack on small rodents and birds, using their strong bodies to catch a meal! ### Where is Eastern Foxsnake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eastern Foxsnake hunt? Ambush and Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/piquette-avenue-industrial-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Pointe Mouillee State Game Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pointe-mouillee-state-game-area) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve - [Belle Isle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belle-isle-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Brookfield Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo [View all places to see Eastern Foxsnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-foxsnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Eastern Foxsnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-foxsnake)