Head to head
Western Fox Snake vs Eastern Fox Snake
The western fox snake and eastern fox snake are close relatives that share nearly identical rattlesnake-mimicking defences but occupy largely separate ranges and face very different conservation outlooks.
| Western Fox Snake | Eastern Fox Snake | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pantherophis vulpinus | Pantherophis gloydi |
| Range | Upper midwestern prairie and wetland-edge | Great Lakes marsh and wet meadow |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Population trend | Stable | Decreasing |
| Rattlesnake-mimicking tail buzz | Yes | Yes |
| Musky defensive odour | Yes | Yes |
| Venomous | No | No |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Western Fox Snake vs Eastern Fox Snake: common questions
What is the main difference between the western fox snake and the eastern fox snake?
The two species are separated mainly by range and conservation status rather than appearance: the western fox snake occupies a broader, more secure range across upper midwestern prairie and wetland-edge habitat, while the eastern fox snake is confined to a much smaller, shrinking range of Great Lakes marsh and wet meadow habitat and is listed as Endangered.
Do both fox snakes mimic a rattlesnake in the same way?
Yes, both species vibrate their tails rapidly against dry vegetation to produce a buzzing sound that closely mimics a rattlesnake's rattle, and both share a similarly coppery-toned head and blotched body pattern, a shared bluff that unfortunately gets both harmless species mistaken for dangerous snakes and killed.
Why is the eastern fox snake endangered while the western fox snake is not?
The eastern fox snake is tied closely to a naturally limited range of marsh and wet meadow habitat around the Great Lakes that has shrunk considerably from drainage and development, while the western fox snake occupies a broader prairie and wetland-edge range across the upper Midwest that has remained comparatively more intact.