tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686738124797191445.post8485443505563481469..comments2024-03-24T10:07:45.795-04:00Comments on Nature Nuggets: Goodness Snakes Alive!!Allen Woodliffehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07730308918843819863noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686738124797191445.post-6579691654755956392016-01-30T01:19:06.711-05:002016-01-30T01:19:06.711-05:00Al, I did not know that Eastern Fox Snake was rece...Al, I did not know that Eastern Fox Snake was recently separated out as a full species. Thanks for the explanation!Alan Wormingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06595578301155470357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686738124797191445.post-36293048933269372452016-01-27T15:52:28.229-05:002016-01-27T15:52:28.229-05:00Al: to reflect the current taxonomy, LEWS is a sub...Al: to reflect the current taxonomy, LEWS is a subspecies (Nerodia sipedon insularum). At one point it was just thought to be a colour form, a reflection of its being only present on limestone islands and adjacent areas of Lake Erie, but could easily interact and exchange genetic material with the Northern Water Snake since their ranges overlap. <br /><br />Eastern Fox Snake used to be a subspecies with the closely related Western Fox Snake and were in the Elaphe genus. In 1997, it was decided that the two warranted separate species status for various reasons. The two species ranges were quite well separated by several hundred kilometres. So Eastern Fox Snake retains its common name, but is now a distinct species and is known as Pantherophis gloydi. Western Fox Snake is Pantherophis vulpina.Allen Woodliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07730308918843819863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7686738124797191445.post-90807329723937383562016-01-27T01:47:55.382-05:002016-01-27T01:47:55.382-05:00Al, you say that the Lake Erie Water Snake is not ...Al, you say that the Lake Erie Water Snake is not really a species, but rather a subspecies of Northern Water Snake. In the same context, Eastern Fox Snake is thus not a species either, as it too is a subspecies, of Fox Snake. Correct? Of course they are both species, just depends on what you want to call them.Alan Wormingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06595578301155470357noreply@blogger.com