Common names. Conservation concerns and listed statuses come from the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board's February 2011 Checklist of endangered and threatened animals and plants of Illinois and the Illinois Natural History Survey's website. Description: Large (up to 130 cm TL) snake with copper-colored head distinctly wider than neck. Garter Snakes: Both the common garter snake and the striped garter snake can be found in this state, one that can come in many designs and colors, but the most easily identifiable feature is a stripe running down the length of a snake, on the dorsal/spine/top of the snake. It was a 3 foot adult Fox Snake. (6) It is illegal to buy, sell, trade, barter, or breed any wild-caught Illinois snakes, any resulting offspring from them, or any lineage of Illinois origin. Contrasting with this light ground color a row of large, dark brown to black splotches, that runs down the middle of the back and tail. With a life span of 10-12 years, these rather sluggish snakes not the most common snake kept in captivity. It is found in northern (but not southern) Illinois and in a small area of Indiana. Found more often than not in the suburbs and towns of Illinois, they eat frogs, toads, and other water-swelling … It can be also found near the farms. This month’s featured “Meet Your Neighbor” is the “western fox snake” (Pantherophis vulpinus). The specific name, vulpinus, (meaning "fox-like") is in honor of Rev. or collect snakes from public lands such as a state park, nature preserve, or national forest. The western fox snake can be found in farm fields, open areas and wetlands in extreme northwestern Illinois. On the one hand, the thirty eight species recorded in the state puts it at the above average range for snake diversity. Apparently they had been walking and heard a buzzing coming from under some dried plants. Other common names for P. vulpinus include eastern foxsnake, foxsnake, and fox snake. Subspecies: None are currently recognized, but see Nomenclatural History below. On either side of this bold row there is a row of smaller dark blotches. Western fox snake inhabits edges of the forests, pastures and fields. Western Fox snakes are shy snakes reaching lengths of 3-5 feet. When threatened, this species coils, raises its head, strikes and vibrates its tail. Snake species known to be found in the U.S. state of Illinois. The closely related eastern fox snake lives southeast of Lake Erie. Males are typically larger than females. Western fox snake is non-venomous snake that belongs to the colubrid family. The vibrating tail may cause a sound to be made if it is striking dead vegetation. Adults are yellow to dark brown with red-brown blotches along the back. Charles Fox (1815–1854), collector of the holotype, an academic play on words. Like all rat snakes, it is a nonvenomous constrictor.Fox snakes somewhat resemble the appearance of copperheads and rattlesnakes and may shake their tails when threatened, so they are often mistaken for venomous snakes. We ran back to find Tom holding a large angry snake. Illinois snakes are a collecton of contradictions. While Tristan and I were recording the Garter Snake's coordinates, Tom, Joey and Sam yelled for us. This beneficial snake is not venomous. The snake's common name is a play on words. The fox snake is a type of North American rat snake (colubrid). What’s the difference between a fox snake and a massasauga? The Eastern Fox Snake's background color is yellowish to light brown. racer Coluber constrictor western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus Graham’s crayfish snake Regina grahamii western fox snake Pantherophis vulpinus prairie kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster bullsnake Pituophis catenifer diamondback water ... 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