So, like, have you ever wondered why roads get closed? I mean, it’s usually for boring stuff like construction or public events, right? Well, get this – in Illinois, there’s this road that’s shut down to save some snakes. Yep, you heard me right. The U.S. Forest Service decided to block off a 2.5-mile road to make sure snakes don’t get squished by passing cars.
This particular road, also known as Snake Road (super creative, I know), is actually located in the Shawnee National Forest. And let me tell you, that place seems like a prime spot for hiking, camping, and mountain biking. But if you were planning on hitting up Snake Road for your next adventure, you’re out of luck. The road closed on March 12 and won’t be back in action until May 15. The Forest Service thought it was getting too warm too soon, so they shut it down early.
Now, you might be wondering, why are the snakes crossing the road? Well, it turns out these slithery creatures, along with some other amphibians, are just trying to migrate from their winter homes in the limestone bluffs to their summer hangout near LaRue Swamp. And get this – some of these species are actually endangered. Can you imagine a poor little snake getting flattened by a Wrangler? Not a pretty sight, I tell ya. So, closing the road for a couple of months twice a year seems like the best solution.
But hey, don’t worry. The road is still open to foot traffic. Just watch your step, you never know how many snakes you might bump into. And if you happen to run into some volunteers counting snakes, don’t freak out. They’re called Snake Sentinels, how cool is that? These folks are there to guide you through the forest and remind you to be respectful of the wildlife. Oh, and by the way, it’s totally illegal to touch the snakes. So, hands off, buddy.
Not really sure why this matters, but the Forest Service made sure to mention that they closed the road early because of the warm weather. I mean, who knew snakes were so sensitive to temperature changes, right? But I guess it makes sense if they’re trying to beat the heat and find a new place to chill.
So, if you were planning on cruising down Snake Road anytime soon, you might want to reconsider. It’s all for the sake of the snakes, after all. And who knows, maybe you’ll spot a rare species or two along the way. Just remember to keep your hands to yourself and enjoy the beauty of nature.
I’m not an expert on snakes or anything, but it seems like a pretty good reason to close a road, don’t you think? Just goes to show that sometimes we need to put the brakes on for the sake of our scaly friends.
