Wade Fox

Wade Fox (1920-1964) was an American herpetologist notable for his contributions to the study of snakes, particularly their systematic relationships and geographic variation. His research focused primarily on the garter snakes (genus Thamnophis) of western North America.

Fox received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1951. He held positions at Stanford University's Natural History Museum and later at California State University, Hayward (now California State University, East Bay). His work involved extensive field collection and detailed morphological analysis of snake specimens.

A significant aspect of Fox's research involved the development and application of osteological characters in snake taxonomy. He meticulously studied the skeletal structures of various snake species to understand their evolutionary relationships better. This approach contributed significantly to the refinement of garter snake classification.

Tragically, Wade Fox died prematurely at the age of 44 as a result of an accidental poisoning during a herpetological collecting trip in Mexico. Despite his short career, his impact on herpetology remains substantial, and his publications continue to be valuable resources for researchers studying snake systematics and evolution. Several species and subspecies have been named in his honor, recognizing his significant contributions to the field.