Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: FOXSNAKE, WESTERN

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: REPTILIA

Order: SQUAMATA

Family: COLUBRIDAE

Genus: PANTHEROPHIS

Species: VULPINUS

Taxonomic Authority: (BAIRD and GIRARD)

Taxonomy References: 025 , 004 , 017

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G5T5

Status References: 001 , 013 , 020 , 027

Habitat Summary

"Prefer areas where native prairie adjoins marshland. Also found in wooded areas and cropland near streams or marshes."

Primary Habitat: "Grassland(matrix)"

References: 006

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Inhabits parts of north Missouri glacial region *05*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ANDREW ADAIR BARRY
ATCHISON AUDRAIN BARTON
BUCHANAN CALDWELL BATES
CLARK CHARITON BENTON
GENTRY CLINTON BOLLINGER
HOLT DAVIESS BOONE
LEWIS DEKALB BUTLER
LINCOLN GRUNDY CALLAWAY
MARION HARRISON CAMDEN
ST. CHARLES KNOX CAPE GIRARDEAU
LINN CARROLL
LIVINGSTON CARTER
MACON CASS
MERCER CEDAR
MONROE CHRISTIAN
NODAWAY CLAY
PIKE COLE
PUTNAM COOPER
RALLS CRAWFORD
SCHUYLER DADE
SCOTLAND DALLAS
SHELBY DENT
SULLIVAN DOUGLAS
WORTH DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GREENE
HENRY
HICKORY
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
MADISON
MARIES
MCDONALD
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCOTT
SHANNON
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 024 , 026 , 005 , 006 , 015 , 016 , 018 , 021

Distribution by Watersheds

Des Moines R.
Wyaconda R.
South Fabius R.
Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
Cuivre R.
Dardenne Creek
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Platte R.
One Hundred and Two R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Emergent"
"Riverine"

References for Aquatic Associations: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Habitat Types:

Marsh
Permanent Stream
Cereal Grain
Perennial Grass (Warm season)
Perennial Grass (cool-season)
Edge (Forest-Field)

References for Habitat Types: 002 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Wet Prairie
Hardpan Prairie
Wetland
Marshes
Freshwater Marsh
Pond Marsh

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 002 , 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 005 , 007 , 008

Adult Food Habits

Birds; Egg stage
Columbiformes (pigeons and doves); Egg stage
Leporidae (rabbits); Juvenile stage
Birds; Juvenile stage
Mammals; Not Specified
Cricetidae (woodrats, mice, voles, lemmings); Not Specified
Birds; Not Specified
Fringillidae (grosbeaks, sparrows, finches, and buntings); Not Specified
Arthropods; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 005 , 007 , 008

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Human association: houses
Human association: barns/sheds
Isolation from humans: some isolation from humans required

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Human association: houses
Human association: barns/sheds
Isolation from humans: some isolation from humans required

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Agricultural crops: sunflowers
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Human association: houses
Human association: barns/sheds
Isolation from humans: some isolation from humans required

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 022 , 023

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/water edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland
Agricultural crops: sunflowers
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Human association: houses
Human association: barns/sheds
Isolation from humans: some isolation from humans required

References for resting adult niche requirements: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 022 , 023

Niche Requirement Summary

Agricultural crops specified in comments(00670)
Agricultural crops: small grains
Agricultural crops: sunflowers
Edge: coniferous trees/deciduous trees edge
Edge: grassland/water edge
Edge: woodland/crop field edge
Edge: woodland/water edge
General habitat association specified in comments(00270)
Human association: barns/sheds
Human association: houses
Inland wetlands: marsh
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: vegetated stream banks
Isolation from humans: some isolation from humans required
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Successional stage: stable prairie/grassland

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Constricts its prey *08*
018 Clutch size ranges from 6-29 *05,07,09,10,11,16*.
007 Mates April to mid-July *07,10,12*. Eggs laid late May thru June *06,07*. Usually hatch August thru October *05,07,11*.
030 One MO record of 1st spring emergence was on 4-14 *14*. Probably active late April - October *16*

Life History Information

Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: probing
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: ground
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system: polygyny
Nest/den site: hole in the ground
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Constricts its prey *08*
018 Clutch size ranges from 6-29 *05,07,09,10,11,16*.
007 Mates April to mid-July *07,10,12*. Eggs laid late May thru June *06,07*. Usually hatch August thru October *05,07,11*.
030 One MO record of 1st spring emergence was on 4-14 *14*. Probably active late April - October *16*

References for life history: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 012 , 014 , 016

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Grassland - develop/maintain brushpiles
Water - develop/maintain freshwater marsh
Water - establish/maintain basking logs near shore
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Agricultural - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Agricultural - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Forest - maintain streamside vegetation
Forest - develop/maintain brushpiles
Grassland - seasonal restriction of human use of habitats
Grassland - develop and maintain water holes, ponds, potholes, etc.
Grassland - maintain natural vegetation (native)
Grassland - maintain riparian habitats
Grassland - control grazing of domestic livestock
Grassland - develop/maintain edge (ecotones)
Grassland - haying/mowing
Grassland - maintain streamside vegetation
Grassland - maintain habitat diversity

Beneficial Management References: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Adverse Managment Practices:

Agricultural - application of herbicides
Agricultural - application of pesticides
Agricultural - application of insecticides
Forest - application of herbicides
Forest - application of pesticides
Forest - application of insecticides
Grassland - application of herbicides
Grassland - application of pesticides
Grassland - application of insecticides
Grassland - uncontrolled grazing of domestic livestock

Adverse Management References: 005 , 006 , 007 , 008

Comments on Management:
Maintain natural prairie and marsh in north MO. provide brush piles and rock piles *06*. Should maintain natural habitat conditions, including a diverse native plant community, with normal water fluctuations in swamps, marshes and oxbow lakes. Drawdown and moist soil management are generally detrimental. providing basking logs near shore will enhance marshes, swamps and oxbow lakes *06*.

References for Management Comments: 006

References

Reference Code Citation
001 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
002 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
003 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
004 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Checklist Of Missouri Amphibians And Reptiles. Mo Dept. Of Conserv. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
005 Anderson, P. 1974. The Reptiles Of Missouri. Univ. Of Mo. Press, Columbia, Mo. 330pp.
006 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
007 Behler, J.L. and F.W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide To North American Reptiles And Amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 720pp.
008 Minton, S.,Jr. 1944. Introduction To The Study Of The Reptiles Of Indiana. Amer. Midland Nat. 32:438-477.
009 Fitch, H.S. 1970. Reproductive Cycles Of Lizard And Snakes. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. No. 52. 247pp.
010 Carpenter, C.C. 1947. Copulation Of The Fox Snake. Copeia 1947:275.
011 Schmidt, K.P. and D.D. Davis. 1941. Field Book Of Snakes. G.P. Putnam and Sons, New York. 365pp.
012 Simonson, W.E. 1951. Courtship And Mating Of The Fox Snake, Elaphe Vulpina Vulpinacopeia 1951:309.
013 Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
014 Smith, D.D., R. Powell, T.R. Johnson and H.L. Gregory. 1983. Life History Observations Of Missouri Amphibians And Reptiles With Recommendations For Standardized Data Collection. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 17:37-66.
015 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
016 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
017 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
018 Powell, R., T.R. Johnson and D.D. Smith. 1996. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1996. Missouri Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 9:9-14.
019 Powell, R., T.R. Johnson and D.D. Smith. 1997. New Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1997. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 10:8-12.
020 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
021 Daniel, R.E., B.S. Edmond and T.R. Johnson. 1998. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles In Missouri For 1998. Mo Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 11:8-17.
022 Robinson, S.K., E.J. Heske and J.D. Brawn. 1999. Factors Affecting The Nesting Success Of Edge And Shrubland Birds. IL Nat. Hist. Surv. Pr Report W-125-R. 224 Pp.
023 Keller, W.L. and E.J. Heske. 2000. Habitat Use By Three Species Of Snakes At The Middle Fork Fish And Wildlife Area, Illinois. J. Herpetol. 34(3):558-564.
024 Daniel, R.D. and B.S. Edmond. 2001. New And Previously Unreported Records Of Amphibians And Reptiles From Missouri For 2001. Mo Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 14:7-12.
025 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
026 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
027 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2011. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 55.