Snake Road closing March 15 through May 5

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - Bi-annually the Shawnee National Forest closes Forest Service Road No. 345, also known as Snake Road, to help ensure safe crossing for several species of snakes and amphibians during this critical time of migration.

The 2.5-milelong road is closed March 15 through May 15 to allow snakes and amphibians - some of them considered threatened and endangered in Illinois and the United States - to migrate from their winter habitat in the limestone bluffs across the road to their summer habitat in LaRue Swamp. Due to the recent warm temperatures in the region, Snake Road may close 4 to 5 days early. For the latest on this closure visitors should visit the Forest website (www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee) or their Facebook or Twitter social media sites.

The gradual, two-month migration event attracts people from across the country eager to witness the rich diversity of reptile and amphibian species along this single stretch of road. About 66 percent of the amphibians and 59 percent of the reptiles known to occur in Illinois are found here.

Though the road is closed to vehicles, it is open to people traveling on foot. Special regulations apply to the area. LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond is a federally designated Research Natural Area and unauthorized collecting and handling of any of these species is prohibited under federal and state law.

For more information about the snake migration and LaRue-Pine Hills Research National Area visit www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3833915.pdf