Description: The Western Foxsnake is a large, robust snake, with adults ranging from 36 to 50 inches in length. The background coloration is gray, tan, or light brown, and pronounced dark brown or reddish-brown blotches run down the length of the body. In addition to the large dorsal blotches, there are interspersed smaller dark brown blotches running along the sides of the body. As adults, the head is often rust or copper in coloration with reduced or faded markings. Juveniles lack this head coloration, have more pronounced head markings, and are light gray with dark blotches running the length of the body. The underside is off-white or light yellow and covered in black checkerboard markings. Scales on this species are slightly keeled, and individuals have a divided anal scale. Western Foxsnakes can be easily differentiated from Gopher snakes by having a divided anal scale, a uniform patterning running the length of the body, and the absence of large vertical black bars on the upper lip (Gophersnakes have an undivided anal scale, a variable pattern from head to tail, and vertical black bars on the upper lip).

Habitat: P. ramspotti is found in a variety of habitats, both natural and disturbed. Preferred natural habitats include forest, shrubland, grassland, and freshwater wetlands. Disturbed habitats include pastures, old fields, and other farmland.

Range: P. ramspotti is found in the upper Midwestern United States, west of the Mississippi River. The range of the closely related Pantherophis vulpinus is east of the Mississippi River. The two species overlap along the eastern side of the Mississippi River, but there is no intergrade zone.

Found in these States: IA | MN | MO | NE | SD | WI

Diet: Fox snakes are constrictors and primarily feed on mice and other small rodents. They may also consume young rabbits, frogs, and eggs.

Reproduction: P. ramspotti is oviparous. Eggs are laid in humus in old stumps and under logs.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the species' tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population (locally common), and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: Prior to 2011, when P. ramspotti was proposed as a new species, it was thought to be the same species as P. vulpinus, and P. vulpinus was sometimes called the western fox snake. A 2011 paper by Crother, White, Savage, Eckstut, Graham and Gardner proposed that the Mississippi River be established as the species boundary between two species of fox snakes, and that those found to its east be considered P. vulpinus (including those previously known as P. gloydi ) and those found to its west be given the new name P. ramspotti. This proposed that P. vulpinus, which had been known as the western fox snake, become known as the eastern fox snake, and the new P. ramspotti become known as the western fox snake.