Scales: Keeled

Anal Plate: Divided

Reproduction: Egg layer

Western Fox Snakes can be found in the upper mid-west region. From north-eastern Indiana, west to southeastern South Dakota, north to northern Michigan and south to Missouri. Adults are usually around three to four and a half feet in length. The largest every recorded was alittle shy of six feet.

Typical habitat consists of prairies, lowland brush, open woodlands and agriculture fields. Unlike some of the other members of its genus, the Fox Snake is mostly a ground dwelling snake.

Mammalian prey makes up the bulk of their diet. Rodents such as squirrels, Eastern chipmunks, and Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are on the menu. Items such as reptiles, amphibians and birds (and their eggs) are also part of their diet.

The Western Fox (Pantherophis vulpina) and the Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis gloydi) was once considered a single species. It is now classified as two species. Fox snakes resemble Gopher and Bull Snakes in appearance, but Gopher & Bull Snakes have single anal plates, while Fox Snakes have divided anal plates.