Spring is the time for the annual "snake migration" in Illinois.
In the spring, snakes go traveling, on a quest in Southern Illinois The Forest Services says that short stretch of road offers the chance to see a diverse array of not only snakes, but other reptile and amphibian species. “About 66 percent of the amphibians and 59 percent of the reptiles known to occur in Illinois are found here,” the Forest Service says of snake road during the migration.
Science is amazing, life is amazing. God, who created them all and set things in motion, is beyond amazing.
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Snake migrating: A yearly gathering in Southern Illinois
Common names of some of the species you might encounter on
or near Snake Road include:
Spiny Softshell
Northern Red-Bellied Snake
Spotted Salamander
Chorus Frog
Slimy Salamander
Broadheaded Skink
Eastern Hognose Snake
Red Milk Snake
Midland Water Snake
Western Ribbon Snake
The list above is a partial listing of snakes in Illinois. It is estimated that 70% of American snakes live there.
Notice that lizards and turtles are there as well, to snack on the baby snakes. Also, they would be lunch for snakes.
My son is an entomologist who did his graduate work at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. One event he arranged for undergrads was to take them to view the "Annual Snake Migration in Southern Illinois".
I
had never heard of the migration, thought it was something made-up. He
described this with great enthusiasm and their one overnight campout
went without any mishaps.
He spoke of making another trip where hunters nailed dead squirrels on to trees in this forest. This is now considered to be an urban myth, thankfully.
He spoke of making another trip where hunters nailed dead squirrels on to trees in this forest. This is now considered to be an urban myth, thankfully.
Southern Illinois is the top place for migrating snakes
to hook with its species.
about 1+ min. long
about 2 minutes long
Many many sites are about the annual Snake Migration in Illinois, which quite an event. Tourists travel to observe this! Would you?
Any amazing % of the American snakes live in Illinois.
For anyone wanting to finding out about this can
go to: Snake in Illlinois
