Snake Road (Illinois) Species Checklist

Snake Road (FR 354) in Shawnee National Forest closes every year from March 15-May 15 and September 1-October 30. These closures are implemented to protect reptiles and amphibians as they move between their hibernacula and the swamplands along the Mississippi River.

At Snake Road and the surrounding LaRue-Pine Hills Research Natural Area, more than half of Illinois’ known reptile and amphibian species can be found here!

Below is a checklist of the reptile and amphibian species recorded at Snake Road in southern Illinois. This is one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the Midwest! There is a printable checklist at the bottom to stick in your field guide for later. Happy herping!

Snake Road Reptile and Amphibian Checklist

Reptiles

Turtles

• Common Snapping Turtle
• Spiny Softshell
• Stinkpot Turtle 
• Eastern Box Turtle 
• Ornate Box Turtle
• Eastern Painted Turtle
• Red-Eared Turtle 

Snakes

• Northern Red-Bellied Snake 
• Eastern Hognose Snake
• Eastern Rough Green Snake
• Eastern Garter Snake
• Midland Water Snake
• Midland Brown Snake
• Midwest Worm Snake
• Western Ribbon Snake
• Western Earth Snake 
• Western Mud Snake 
• DeKay’s Brown Snake
• Flat-headed Snake
• Diamond-Backed Water Snake  
• Black Rat Snake
• Red Milk Snake
• Black Racer
• Ringneck Snake 
• King Snake

Venomous Snakes

• Copperhead
• Cottonmouth 
• Timber Rattlesnake

Lizards

• Broadheaded Skink 
• Northern Fence Lizard 
• Ground Skink 
• Five-Lined Skink 

Amphibians

Salamanders, Newts and Siren

• Spotted Salamander 
• Slimy Salamander 
• Western Lesser Siren
• Marbled Salamander
• Zigzag Salamander
• Cave Salamander
• Long-tailed Salamander
• Central Newt
• Small-mouthed Salamander

Toads

• American Toad
• Fowler’s Toad

Frogs

• Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
• Northern Spring Peeper
• Southern Leopard Frog
• Eastern Grey Treefrog
• Bullfrog
• Green Treefrog
• Green Frog
• Chorus Frog

Lizards

• Broadheaded Skink 
• Northern Fence Lizard 
• Ground Skink 
• Five-Lined Skink