Eastern foxsnake (Elaphe gloydi) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

Common name:
Eastern Foxsnake- Carolinian population

Scientific name:
Elaphe Gloydi

Status:
Endangered

Reason for designation:
The species is confined to a few small increasingly disjunct areas that are subject to intensive agriculture, high human populations and extremely high densities of roads. Roads fragment populations leading to increased probability of extirpation. There are no large protected, roadless areas for this species in this region. The species is also subject to persecution and illegal collection for the wildlife trade.

Occurrence:
Ontario

Status history:
The species was considered a single unit and designated Threatened in April 1999 and May 2000. Split into two populations in April 2008. The Carolinian population was designated Endangered in April 2008. Last assessment based on an update status report.

Common name:
Eastern Foxsnake- Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population

Scientific name:
Elaphe Gloydi

Status:
Endangered

Reason for designation:
In this region, the species swims long distances often in cold, rough open water where it is subject to mortality due to increasing boat traffic. It is uniquely vulnerable to habitat loss because it is confined to a thin strip of shoreline where it must compete with intense road development and habitat modification due to recreational activities. The species' habitat is undergoing increasing fragmentation as development creates zones that are uninhabitable.

Occurrence:
Ontario

Status history:
The species was considered a single unit and designated Threatened in April 1999 and May 2000. Split into two populations in April 2008. The Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population was designated Endangered in April 2008. Last assessment based on an update status report.