Eastern Foxsnake

(Pantherophis gloydi)

Status: Endangered (COSEWIC 2008), Endangered- Carolinian population (ESA 2009), Threatened- Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population (ESA 2009)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Diet
Habitat and Range
Biology and Behaviour
Similar Species
Threats/Reasons for Being Endangered
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
How You Can Help

Photo by Mark Nenadov: https://flic.kr/p/HPAuhf

Species Identification:

The Eastern Foxsnake is one of Ontario’s largest snake species, reaching lengths of up to 1.7 metres. They have golden/brown colouring, large dark brown blotches that run dorsally across the length of the body, and smaller dark brown blotches that alternate laterally along the body. Juveniles often appear grey in colour but as they age they will turn golden/brown. Their head is often varied in colour from a red hue to brown depending on the individual, and a dark line runs from the eye to the jaw.

Diet:

Eastern Foxsnakes prey primarily on small mammals (especially rodents), young birds and bird eggs. While they will swallow smaller prey whole, the Eastern Foxsnake is also a constrictor species, which means once captured they will wrap their bodies around large prey to suffocate them. They will either actively hunt for their prey, or ambush them by sitting and waiting. Juvenile Eastern Foxsnakes will eat frogs and insects until they are large enough to consume larger prey.

Map taken from Government of Canada: https://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_easternfoxsnake_0808_e.pdf

Habitat and Range:

The Eastern Foxsnake is only found in Ontario, Michigan, and Ohio. Ontario populations make up 70% of their total population, and their numbers are rapidly declining. The Ontario populations are separated into two distinct sub-populations, which are the Carolinian population and the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population. The Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population is now limited to only the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, which is within The Land Between. The Carolinian population is also only limited to Essex-Kent County and Haldimand-Norfolk County.

Eastern Foxsnakes prefer shoreline habitat that connects with open forest edge habitat- which is mainly used for foraging, travel, and thermoregulation. They have also been known to inhabit largely unforested lands such as prairies, savannahs, rock barrens, marshes and beach dunes. They are also tolerant of human landscapes and often utilize man-made structures for foraging, thermoregulation, and hibernation. The Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population tends to stay within 1-2 km of the shoreline. This is mainly due to the quality and abundance of the shoreline habitat in the region. Land that is composed mainly of rocky outcroppings, varied tree cover and open edge forest habitat seems to be preferred. The Carolinian population does not show the same propensity for water access as their Georgian Bay counterparts. This is mainly due to the loss of wetland habitat across Southern Ontario as well as farther distances between islands in Lake Erie.

Biology and Behaviour:

Eastern Foxsnakes emerge from hibernation in mid April to late May and mate from late May to mid June. Males reach maturity at around 5 years old, whereas females will mature at around 3. Females can lay up to 30 eggs, but numbers are generally between 15 and 20. Eggs will hatch in 1-2 months and are generally 25-30 cm long. Eastern Foxsnakes will hibernate either communally or individually in rock crevices/fissures, animal burrows, or human structures such as septic bed tiles and building foundations. They will hibernate starting in either September or October until early spring.

Eastern Foxsnakes are fantastic swimmers and climbers which allows them to traverse coastlines with ease and hunt both terrestrial and aquatic prey. Eastern Fox-snakes are very docile, but when threatened they can release a foul smelling musk to deter predators, and may rattle their tail. Predators of this species include large birds of prey, domestic pets, fishers, and raccoons.

Similar Species:

Northern Watersnakes have banding instead of blotches along their sides, with much darker colouring
Milksnakes have red blotches with distinct black outlining around them
Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes have an upturned snout
Massasauga Rattlesnakes have a blunt edged tail with a rattle, a triangular head, and are much smaller as adults

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Road mortality: Road mortality is one of the biggest threats to the Eastern Foxsnake. Their habitat is fragmented by roads so they often need to cross roads in order to reach parts of their habitat. They are large, slow moving, and tend to freeze in fear when traffic approaches, which makes them easy targets for intentional or unintentional road kill. Studies at Long Point, Point Pelee and Pelee Island, Rondeau, and Georgian Bay have all shown high levels of road mortality.

2. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation: Habitat loss is another huge issue for this snake species, as research shows that there is not much quality habitat left for the Eastern Foxsnake in their two Ontario population areas. Despite their ability to use urban areas, shorelines are frequently being developed, road construction is increasing northward, and urban areas are expanding, all of which reduces their habitat quality and makes it more difficult to find food. Urban areas also attract the Eastern Foxsnake’s predators, especially raccoons and birds of prey.

3. Persecution: All snake species are commonly persecuted by people due to fear. Most snakes in Ontario are generally harmless, but people fear their bite and their quick movements. Snakes are often found in people’s backyards and gardens, and while they are beneficial since they eat many backyard pests, they often frighten people. There is a great deal of misinformation when it comes to snake species, and most people would rather get rid of them than learn more about them. The Eastern Foxsnake is also one of Ontario’s largest snake species, making them even more feared by people.

4. Illegal collection: Snakes are often collected from the wild to be sold into the pet trade, or picked up by people who live nearby and given as a pet. Some snakes are also killed for their skin, or for medicinal purposes. Contrary to popular belief, poaching is common in Ontario and a huge threat to most reptile species. If you take a picture of a Species At Risk, remember not to post it on social media or give away any location data, as poachers will use this information.

Conservation and recovery strategies:

The Eastern Foxsnake and their habitat are protected in both Canada and the United States. Further action is needed to help rehabilitate habitat and protect this species from mortality. Government, the public, and organizations should work together to reduce road mortalities by developing, implementing and evaluating mitigation measures for various human caused impacts and mortality, erect signage along known areas of high road mortality, and even encourage temporary road closures in protected areas during periods of known high mortality- especially in parks and protected areas. When it comes to habitat, more information is needed to better understand the extent of both Ontario populations, and how we can increase their habitat and quality. We need to develop habitat protection guidelines and work with landowners to protect and rehabilitate shorelines. Since snakes are generally a very misunderstood species, more education is needed such as citizen science programs, webinars, presentations, and demonstrations to help debunk snake myths and encourage cooperation and cohabitation with snake species.

How can you help?

Report any Eastern Foxsnake sightings to The Land Between’s website or iNaturalist.
Encourage landowners to rehabilitate shoreline habitat and preserve any forest habitat on their land.
Educate your friends, family, and neighbours about Ontario snakes and the benefits and myths that are associated with them.
Landowners should look into safe chemical and pollutant use around their property.
Be aware of snakes on roads while driving and help a snake across the road in the direction they are travelling!
Support organizations dedicated to helping snakes and other wildlife.

Additional Resources:

Ontario Nature’s Eastern Foxsnake page
Government of Ontario’s SAR page on the Eastern Foxsnake
The Eastern Foxsnake species page from Nature Conservancy Canada
Georgian Bay Biosphere’s Species at Risk database

Sources:

COSEWIC. 2008. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Eastern Foxsnake Elaphe gloydi, Carolinian population and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 45 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm).

Ontario Nature. N.d. Eastern Foxsnake. Retrieved from https://ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/eastern-foxsnake/