Snake Road to be Closed for Biannual Migration Period in Illinois

During the semi-annual migration of its slithery wildlife, authorities in Illinois plan to close Snake Road.

A rare, sporadic migration of venomous snakes across southern Illinois is about to begin.

The Great River Road section that passes through the Shawnee National Forest, which is habitat to more than 20 species of snakes, is one of the roads that authorities plan to close in advance of the phenomenon.

Migration for the Snakes

The LaRue Swamp and the limestone cliffs of the forest are home to reptiles. They relocate from one location to another in the spring and fall.

Snakes do not migrate very long distances as larger animals do, but they are known to move around depending on the season. However, the migration in Illinois is distinct from any other in North America. The cottonmouth, a dangerously venomous semi-aquatic snake, was the most frequent snake seen during the event. The Timber rattlesnake, a poisonous pit viper, and copperheads are other venomous snakes that migrate, but not all of them are.

Snake Road

The US Forest Service closes the 2.7-mile section of road in Shawnee during the spring and autumn migrations to allow the snakes to move and ensure their safety.

Mark Vukovich, a wildlife biologist with the US Forest Service, advised the station that travelers should drive safely while the migration is taking place.

According to Vukovich, the biannual migration period would be a great way to dispel the myth that snakes are evil and repulsive animals. He continued that snakes are not at all what people typically believe.

According to Vukovich, a lot of visitors from outside the area come during the migration periods. During the event, it was surprising how many cars with out-of-state license plates are on the road. Everyone knows the route as Snake Road, claims Vukovich, adding that, simply put, it's a fantastic location for snake watching.

It is common for the area to be overrun with tourists taking photos of the migration during the busiest times of the year.

Former US Forest Service wildlife biologist Steve Widowski claimed that decades ago, the roads resembled an enormous pile of spaghetti.

This is less common these days because many people now steal the local snakes for their collections. Additionally, many snakes are killed by cars. There are now laws in place to safeguard the snakes. Any type of handling of the snakes is strictly forbidden.

The best month to view snakes, according to Vukovich, in October, when the autumn migration is in high gear, Newsweek reports.

Snakes of Illinois

Some of the non-venomous snake species in Illinois are frequently mistaken for one of the state's four venomous species. People occasionally mistake some snake species for rattlesnakes because they oscillate their tails whenever they perceive a threat. Sometimes people confuse the eastern fox snake with the massasauga because of their similar appearances.

All seven of Illinois' water snake species are collectively referred to as "water moccasins" by the general public. The cottonmouth watersnake is the only venomous species of watersnake. It can only be found in the southern area of the state of Illinois, near Carbondale.

Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, provide homeowners and gardeners with benefits by consuming invertebrates and rodents. For them to perform this crucial pest control function, the reptiles should be left alone.