WHY DID THE SNAKE CROSS THE SHAWNEE FOREST ROAD?

WOLF LAKE, Ill. -- The term "snake migration" might be a little misleading if you think of it in terms of thundering herds of wildebeest or bison.

Snakes are much quieter.

In fact, the fall snake migration at the Shawnee National Forest is so quiet many people who are right in the middle step right over it -- or right on it, said Raymond Smith, Shawnee National Forest wildlife biologist and botanist.

Fifty-nine species of reptiles have been making their way out of the Shawnee's swamp this month and into a series of limestone bluffs that lie directly across a gravel lane off the park's Muddy Levee Road. Thousands of snakes will cross this road during the reptile's two-month migration, forcing the park to close this avenue to vehicular traffic.

If the snakes did not move into these dens they would die during the cold winter months, said Smith, who has been with national forest for six years.

This concentration of reptiles also attracts coyotes, hawks and raccoons. The snakes may be an easy target since they aren't as quick as in the summer months.

"Things are definitely slowing down for the snakes," Smith said. "Because it's so cool, a lot of their time is spent in a semi-conscious state.

Park officials weren't concerned with the furred and feathered hunters in the 1970s when they decided to close the road that runs between the swamp and the bluffs during the migration. They were concerned, as Smith is today, about the human hunters.

Smith said the road was officially closed when it was discovered that people were driving up and down the lane during the migration and going out of their way to run the snakes down.

"We didn't like the idea of having one of the resources we're responsible for destroyed for fun," he said.

Even though the road is blocked off to cars between early September and late October, Smith said park officials are still concerned about snake collectors. Illinois law is liberal about what can be collected in the state, so park officials faced a problem when many of their snakes were taken for food, for their skin, or as a pet. Recently the Shawnee has been designated a no-collection park.

The road, which runs along Winter's Pond, is open to foot traffic and Smith said it is becoming a popular attraction. The lane itself is one of the prettiest in the park and highlights the Shawnee's natural diversity. Flanking the road on the east are the towering limestone bluffs. On the right is the Shawnee's grassy swamp.

Walking the road presents a few problems during the fall migration, and even more during the spring migration when the snakes are hungry and active. The park has three types of poisonous snakes: the Timber Rattlesnake, cottonmouth and copperhead.

"You do have to keep your eyes open," Smith said, adding he has come close to a snake bite a few times. "Don't pick them up. In the cases where I've been struck at, it's because they thought I was about to pick them up."

The best time to spot the snakes is between noon and 4 p.m., when the sun has rounded the bluffs and is providing the most heat on the road. But even then it is a challenge to actually spot a migrating snake.

"If they have the opportunity to get out of there before you come across them, they'll more than happily get out of the way," Smith said. "However, a cottonmouth and a copperhead typically will stand their ground, particularly the cottonmouth."

He added if you do come across an unfriendly looking snake, just back right up.

"Just go around the snake, they won't chase you," Smith said.