A Walk on THE Snake Road! Cottonmouth Migration in Southern Illinois

[@dianachylewski2906]

Welcome to the neighborhood! I live against these bluffs and have had regular visits with these creatures along with copperheads, rattlesnakes, large snapping turtles, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, bears, and more. We are always aware of the wildlife that may surprise us at any time. Rural life is certainly not boring, it is amazing! Thanks for highlighting us here in Southern Illinois.

[@chadsimmons6347]

Do you or any neighbors post footage from a trail-cam? I have tried but the editing process was too much 4 me

[@Eric-wj9cu]

I'm a Lifelong PA resident, but I lived in Marion for about a year for work. The first time i ever saw a snake out in the wild was living there, and saw many of them in that short time... That and my first pack of wild coyotes i spotted outside of Cape Girardeau. One of my only decent memories out that way, lol

[@joshuadavis5503]

We got bears and cougars in Southern Illinois?

[@joshuadavis5503]

Because I live in Central Illinois

[@violetpotter1111]

I’m from Anna (we used to party in Pine Hills in HS). My family still lives there. My brother mountain bikes in Pine Hills. He’s definitely seen cougar, but I haven’t heard of bears being present. Have you seen them? One weird thing that I’ve noticed in the last 10 years are armadillo. So weird to see those.

[@MountainmommaWV3]

I had no idea that Cottonmouth was that far north. I just learned something

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

It’s not that far north. Illinois goes way down south.

[@verumillic1424]

It's a unique area with genuine remnants of truly southern swamps - cypress trees, spanish moss and all. I love deep southern IL, it's so much different from the rest of the state.

[@pamsummers1176]

Thiers rattlesnakes in Missouri and cotton mouths copperhead I've seen them all unfortunately I hate snakes

[@ghostwriter1415]

@@pamsummers1176 they scare me too--I suppose that's the fascination that compels us to watch, and comment on this video! Here in North Carolina, we have Rattlesnakes that swim out to sea. L/R

[@brittanythornton8408]

Also in Missouri- Northern Cotton Mouth.

[@aaronwilcox6417]

That is living hell for me.

[@wendyh2708]

Oh hell no! I wouldn't get out of the car!

[@brookyork902]

Snake road....oh no!

[@sherryweems8579]

DITTO 😫

[@cowarddonnie-ji5yz]

Wimps

[@Suddencrown43]

@@cowarddonnie-ji5yz Bozo

[@deedk]

Theres a place I'll never go! As a lifelong Illinois resident I've never heard of it and will RUN if I ever happen upon it!

[@relsba]

😂❤

[@mikeoveli1028]

Pretty good advice for most of us.

[@anitarice9609]

I never thought of Illinois being a hotspot for cottonmouths. You sure wouldn't want to shelter under that bluff at night.

[@rocknewtonfilsterwilly7364]

They are thick farther North as well in Central IL.

[@rocknewtonfilsterwilly7364]

@@silentnot4812 Macon and Dewitt counties for sure, can't speak personally for North of that but the prairie rattlers certainly go way up North.

[@howardsprague5146]

@@silentnot4812 FYI. As a 65 year old field herping lifelong Illinois resident, I can assure you there are NO Cottonmouths in Central Illinois. This is an established fact that can be verified through many sources. We do however have several species of watersnakes, particularly Common Watersnakes.. And of course unfortunately for those said watersnakes, they are often misidentified by the ill-informed as being Cottonmouths based on nothing more than them being snakes that are in water. This is an all too common occurrence throughout much of the sans Cottonmouth Midwest….

[@173jaSon371]

@@rocknewtonfilsterwilly7364 no they are not? lol this is about as north as cottonmouths go. That's why all these lazy northerners all go to this exact same location.

[@FischerFan]

Considering the most recent fatality attributed to a cottonmouth occurred in Southern Missouri, it's important to remember that you need not be in alligator country first.

[@nicholash8021]

Shorts and sneakers in cottonmouth-infested trails with plenty of leaf litter for them to hide in... I'm glad I'm on this side of the screen.

[@Im4GOD100]

Right?????? 😬

[@aftersexhighfives]

They literally don't care about you and don't want to waste their venom on something they can't eat. The leafs you're talking about also announce the human's presence as they tromp through. You're truly doing too much.

[@drummerman64]

@nicholash8021 Heavy boots is a minimum for me

[@nicholash8021]

@@drummerman64 I've seen copperheads bite through supposed snake proof gloves. Granted they were probably not the best quality but sure did look thick. They also tend to bite towards the heat source and that might be just above your boot if they are large enough to reach that high. Hopefully very thick and tall boots!

[@drummerman64]

@@nicholash8021 Heck, anything is better than nothing

[@swimssnakeyadventures9127]

I'm gonna cry dude, I wanna meet you so bad and I come here all the time! Lol for real though I'm glad you got a chance to check the place out, it's my favorite place on earth to date! Edit: that so crazy you were talking to my buddy and his grandpa! You must've been there right before I got there as it turns out, that's crazy lol.

[@Bangitout6]

Damn get wrecked

[@SkiSkillsMontana]

No wonder he left before he met you .

[@pamhutson475]

​@@SkiSkillsMontanaThat's funny.😊😅

[@HazBroTube529]

Lol..internet.. here’s a fan that is saying he wishes to meet one of his favorite KZbinrs and gets met with degenerates on the other side of a keyboard.

[@edwardammons]

❤😅😅

[@KeemyCraft]

Nice video! I went to snake road recently and got the chance to see nkfherping, and all of the amazing wildlife!

[@HuntersRuggedOutdoors]

personally that's cool

[@randallsmith1664]

It was my distinct pleasure to meet you at LaRue on October 6th. I was the guy who called your name after we passed and was a bit flabbergasted that it was actually you. As a life long Herper, I absolutely love Snake Road. I am fortunate to live about 125 miles from there, so I spend 15-20 days a year there in both the Spring and Fall. Thanks for taking a few minutes to talk to me and letting me fanboy a bit. I suggest a trip in the Spring as well. The Amphibians seem much more present in the Spring and their diversity is just as impressive as the Snakes.

[@jamesbrown420]

What all can u find there? I’m far af in Louisiana but one day I WILL go. How easy is it to find Garters there? Also what time of the year should I go? Is May (like this May or June) a good time!!? Shii I’m boutta turn 23 in May and wanna do something fun.

[@douglasstemke2444]

Was just there two weeks ago. 12 Cottenmouths, 1 Northern Watersnake, 1 Yellow Bellied Watersnakes, 2 Rough Green Snakes. Sorry I missed you

[@joannparker1977]

At 6:52 and 7:02 those are venomous Copperheads. Masters of camouflage. Easy to step on because you can't see them. Thank you for enjoying them in their natural habitat and leaving them be to do their thing.

[@Skibidi.Daphne]

These are actually cottonmouths - they can be brown just like copperheads

[@LordBransty]

@@Skibidi.Daphne I thought they were copperheads when they first came on screen. But I remember an old golfer telling me that you can spot a cottonmouth by the way they life their heads up.

[@hangsolow216]

Cottonheads crossbreed 😮

[@Fozzdaddy12]

It was so awesome to meet you man! 16:16

[@nighthiker8872]

Never knew there were Cottonmouth in Illinois! just thought they were far south gulf snakes!

[@FischerFan]

No, that would be the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. Their distribution is mainly coastal.

[@brucew7062]

They are plentiful in Missouri and even in Eastern North Carolina. I enjoy seeing them, but enjoy not upsetting them even more.

[@smetlogik]

I'm thinking 2024 is a return trip for the Smetlogik crew. Can't miss Mike's 30 yr celebration. Mike and Justin are both good people.

[@HuntersRuggedOutdoors]

Another great video from noah right? His content is why I actually go out and go herping myself and make vids too Love the content both of you guys!! :) Love to go to snake road some day

[@smetlogik]

@@HuntersRuggedOutdoors Noah makes solid content on a consistent basis, good stuff for sure. Put Snake Rd on that bucket list, you won't regret it.

[@HuntersRuggedOutdoors]

yeah won't regret it I'm sure Happy Halloween@@smetlogik

[@TheNewRevolution]

I remember being a kid in Southern Kentucky. A kid swimming in a river was bitten by a cottonmouth and died. I'm not sure if the venom actually got him or he panicked and drowned. I've had many... many people over the years tell me that it's not possible. Both online and in person. I've heard tons of people say there are no cottonmouths in Kentucky. Cottonmouths are not this far north, not this far east, etc. There's a lot of bad information about, not just snakes, but other animals as well, that's out there. I'm glad there are people making videos clearing up some of the bad information that's out there.

[@PaulaMcGowan-yy2hz]

My sons Dr was from Vanderbilt and he said a cottonmouth or rattlesnake can kill anyone. I've known of more than a couple of people that died from both kinds. Copperheads don't usually kill people. The other two certainly can. People try to say they can't kill you. Same thing with grizzlies. Ask Timothy Treadwell. Oh yeah you can't, a grizzly killed him and his girlfriend. A brown bear which is a grizzly.

[@landanwoodard7569]

West Tennessee and West Kentucky both have plenty of cottonmouths. That's crazy talk.

[@PaulaMcGowan-yy2hz]

@landanwoodard7569 we live in west tn too. For years I heard there's no cottonmouth on the east side of the tn river-KY lake. Wrong!! I've seen several around the duck river and Buffalo river. And I know one when I see one. I can't say how many people have told me they saw a copperhead in the river or a pond. Most were water snakes that are the same color. But they don't have that viper head. There's another water snake that looks kinda like a cottonmouth but it doesn't have the head either. There's lots of all 4 poison snakes around our house a mile west of the tn river. Copperhead , cottonmouth and timber rattlers and pygmies . Any of them will send you to the hospital. A couple of them maybe the grave.

[@madhatter6913]

@@PaulaMcGowan-yy2hzFor decades the TWRA also said there is no alligators or mountain lions in Tennessee. Now they admit to it. There are definitely cottonmouths in Tennessee.

[@chuckp342]

The truth is that almost every town in the Midwest has a story about a boy dying from a moccasin bite or a "ball of moccasins." While your story might be true, it's tough to say without knowing the province. Western KY has a limited Cottonmouth population - they're very site specific and you won't find them in every body of water (like Florida). I've personally spent hundreds of hours herping in Hopkins/ Christian Counties (both in range). As stated above, Western Tennessee is within cottonmouth range as well. Eastern TN is devoid of cottonmouths.

[@SilverMoonWolf21]

Growing up in Southern Illinois it was paradise for a lot of animals water, bluffs, woods, plains, fields, strip mine lakes, farmlands ya name it. Grew up with all sorts of animals of all walks of life. My dad showed me a rattlesnake den when i was 3 & I stuck my head in the hole to see the snakes to see the snakes. On time was fishing in a strip mine lake and counted over 50 cottonmouths from babies to full grown. One even missing its tail.

[@mikeoveli1028]

Silver That sounds great. I grew up on the coast of Oregon. It was a pure paradise for a 10 year old.

[@typicalshenaniganz]

Yay, he went to snake road! So cool you got out with Mike Pingleton, just listened to his snake talk episode with Cris Jenkins!

[@20mp09]

As a southern Illinoisan, glad you enjoyed your trip here!

[@TDC7594]

Had no idea cottonmouths were in Illinois. They're pretty much absent in Kentucky, except maybe for the most southern part.

[@reesharroun4938]

I've been going twice a year for the past 5 years and I love going. The community of herpers and other naturalists that make the trip from all over always blows me away. It truly is a special place.

[@RadicalLinguisticDescriptivism]

Really cool episode Noah! What an amazing habitat! I'm glad people respect and value it. Nice that you got to meet some viewers too

[@Jeff-le4od]

⁹oòyy

[@dirtwhisperer658]

Nice video and good job with the editing. I have been looking for a video like this for years. The reason why is because a friend of mine showed me a picture on his phone one day of cotton mouths "migrating" across a 4 wheeler trail. This was in N MS. It was springtime and the snakes were moving from higher ground back down to the Yocona River bottom. It was unreal how many snakes were in that photo and most of them were huge. I would say there was at least 12 in the picture. I have told people that story and they act like they don't believe me or say "I don't think snakes migrate". This video proves that they do exactly that. Anyway my friend said it really shook them up seeing that many cotton mouths in one place and they didn't want to run over any, so they turned around and went back. I have a great deal of respect for snakes and I'm glad to see your research and videos. Thanks for posting!

[@ThePollaton]

What an incredible space. Thankfully it’s protected and the snakes get to live their lives in peace. ❤

[@lourdesdoty7765]

This was a refreshing video on herping. Because the snakes weren't picked up and harassed. Which in my opinion is how it should be. No one wants the door to their 'home thrown open and terrorized'. Even snakes. I have lots of snakes on my property. I always respect there space.

[@ilovetomorrow]

Living in Southern Virginia, I had no idea there are cottonmouths in Illinois.

[@ShawnCalay]

They are everywhere just like timber rattlers....some of the largest timber rattlers are in new york

[@59dstorm]

And rattlers

[@shaneflickinger]

I applied for a job on the Shawnee NF about a year ago, and I remember this was one of the first things I discovered when I was researching the area. Very cool to see the spot on video. Thanks.

[@markusruttgers2044]

A beautiful piece of earth that we should keep. A stark contrast to what is happening in the world. Luckily, something like this happens and you can share it with us. Best wishes from Düsseldorf Germany.

[@Dinos676]

I love your videos I'm making my own soon!!!

[@goodvideos.113]

I'm so happy to be able to watch all of your videos from A to Z. 22:11

[@Volker_GR]

What an incredible place! Thank you for taking us there. I love snakes from a certain distance, so your video is perfect for me. I probably wouldn't even enter this snake road for $1,000 as a gift, too much respect for the silky-smooth mouth of this species... 🙂Greetings from Germany, where we only have two species of venomous snakes, vipera berus and vipera aspis. I've never seen one in the wild; they are very rare and shy.

[@davidwelty9763]

This is literally my worst nightmare.

[@MtHockey]

Stay out of the forest! It is a deadly place, few who enter will exit!

[@jamesbrown420]

L Take. I’d KILL to be able to go here and one day will go

[@dabneyoffermein595]

Look at the bright side, at least they're not poisonous.

[@BassYakCam]

Especially the cottonmouth right behind the giant spider.

[@jamestully156]

My worst nightmare is going to a good spot like this and not finding any snakes.

[@zuzupetals6025]

Why YT put this in my feed, I have no clue. This is absolutely terrifying and my worst nightmare. 😂

[@mjrotondi5086]

One man is wearing SHORTS and no snake boots. 😬

[@Ms_Issippi]

Ugg same

[@Coltbreath]

This looks like an Epic life journey!

[@oldmcdonald3376]

couldnt pay me enuff to walk that road,lol

[@ZoidbergMustache]

I would pay to walk it lol

[@dakf660]

@@ZoidbergMustacheweirdo

[@isislee919]

@@ZoidbergMustachesame

[@roachsplf7665]

Wuss

[@jenn1234]

Cool place Noah! I have never heard of this place, but I would love to visit! I am so glad you had a good time and it was really great learning about it. Have a great weekend!!! 😄💙🐬🐍🐊🫶🏼

[@bigrich6750]

This is interesting. I grew up in the Deep South on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and as kids, we went looking for snakes in every creek in the area. There were tines of cottonmouths. I never knew the cottonmouth went so far north. I always figured it was only a southern snake.

[@stefanostokatlidis4861]

First time I see the Snake Road live on video. Probably a must visit, even just due to its good reputation. Curiously, no cottonmouth tried to display at all.

[@TupeloBranch]

Awesome video, I have family in Illinois and will be asking to make the drive next time I visit. I live in the low-country of SC probably pretty close to you and I haven't seen a cottonmouth or copperhead in years. Although I don't primarily herp I hunt turkey, ducks, and deer and still have not seen much lately. Believe it or not it's probably been 10 years since I have seen a copperhead or cottonmouth in the wild even when I am in the woods 2-3 days a week for multiple hours at a time (other than a beautiful copperhead I admired in horticulture class about 5 years ago). My typical finds are eastern king snakes, Eastern ribbon snakes, black racers, banded water snakes, ring necks, and the occasional rough green snake every couple years falling out of trees on me. I have even tried flipping structures recently to no avail. I have never seen any rattlers in the wild so those are on my list, mud snakes, corns, hognose, brown snakes, and corals I have never seen either. I know one of these days I will stumble upon some in the forests I hunt and explore. Until then I will keep searching and enjoying the bird life around me. Happy herping and keep up with the fun content!

[@carltoncarnivores]

So I literally missed seeing you guys by a single day...I left the area that rainy morning (found a box turtle a few miles south of the area on the way out though), was wandering about the couple days before. A bit surreal recognizing the exact spots you're at for once...

[@Studer86]

Truly incredible place! I made my first trip out there last October. Absolutely beautiful scenery, plenty of snakes and everyone there is really nice and shares a passion for wildlife. I've now spent 6 days on the road (2 last October, 2 in April and 2 more this October, just a couple of days after you left). Looking forward to the spring migration!

[@tammywilmot9162]

Very cool vid and I really enjoyed it. I like the shots of the area, the swamp and bluffs and of course, all the snake sightings. For a novice like me, some of the cotton mouths looked somewhat like copperheads. In my area, the moccasins are always dark-colored, mostly black. It's easy to understand why " location location location" is such a big issue! The interviews were good, not too long but just enough to be interesting. It's a well done episode! You did a good job!

[@TheMVCoho]

Well interesting place and I'm glad you and many others are enjoying it. I definitely don't understand the snake attraction but, enjoy it and stay safe.

[@jamesvogel5304]

Went on very memorable field trips there as a student at SIU, and took my wife on our first date there years later. Live in Maine now, a state with few snakes, and no cotton mouths, and have enjoyed telling people about it. Hope to return some day, thanks!

[@ShawnCalay]

There is cotton mouth in Maine! Some of the biggest timber rattlers on record are in New York

[@smscoal8579]

Great video. I’m happy to sit comfortably in my home and watch. I’m trying to get over my fear of snakes and walking among them might not do it!

[@jasonstorie8740]

Your close enough to my area, reelfoot lake it’s in the very northwest corner of Tennessee you should herp that area it’s all swamp and absolutely loaded. I’m from the obion county side of reelfoot.

[@Woobsmom.StacyH]

My God; that is quite literally what I think the pathway to hell looks like.

[@GassersGhost]

Show them the respect they deserve and there won't be a problem. As it should be.

[@marcritchie4968]

I said that to my ex about a wasp once, then I was watching TV it flew down the back of my jeans and stung me on the arse. I called her up and told her and her mum who at this point assumed I was naked, took the phone and asked me why I wasn't wearing trousers, we almost married and this was going to be used in the wedding speech. So respecting them isn't enough there is also luck

[@scuffedgravyboat]

I remember hearing about Snake Road from the old Herping With Dylan days back when I was first getting into herping and it’s cool to now see Noah walk it too.

[@JonathanDonovan-ch6jw]

This sounds awesome! A new place on my bucket list.

[@michaelmaggini9160]

Nice werk, I live in CO and had the opportunity to catch the migration in full force . Grand Slammed it. One timber handful of copper heads and like 30 moccasins. Tried to find morels but couldn't get my eyes in the game due all the snakes moving around.. thanks

[@TWHerping]

We went out to snake road 2 weeks after you and got ≈75 snakes 7 species. Too bad we missed you 😢.

[@elizabethkane6665]

Heartwarming to see families and friends sharing their lifelong joy of herping … snake lovers united !

[@Theodicy101]

Great video!! I enjoyed the scenery and discussion about the different animals and the ecosystem. I'm glad that most people are respectful of that place. That should apply everywhere. Animals are special, deserve the same protections as people, and many are endangered, as are their fragile habitats. Thanks for a really pleasant journey.

[@toddpatik8834]

Living in Wisconsin almost everyone thinks Illinois is the home of the flat landers 😂...... But ive been all over southern Illinois and have seen those cliff formations and also some in southern Indiana and it was beautiful

[@silverstar4289]

Yes, I am I. South central Indiana. Top notch motorcycle riding and hiking in the Ohio river area. I hear great things about southern Illinois, too Cottonmouths are very uncommon here, fortunately. Copperheads can be docile, but cottonmouths have aggressive reputation

[@livinglifeonlifesterms2450]

Dope ass spot man! Reminded me of Ozarks in Arkansas

[@JustinMichels]

Love it. So great to meet up and hang out. You're awesome, you both are.

[@Pwrcritter]

Cottonmouths in Ill, who woulda thought..

[@jimyoung688]

Great episode!

[@dobuto23]

What is current most northern range in midwest for the Corn snake? Wondering because in 1988 we caught one in NW Illinois only 40 miles from the Wisconsin border and my reptile books had them no further than southern Illinois at the time. Have not seen another since. Had vibrant red pattern, too, rather than the orange pattern I have seen you catch. My book at the time was used colored drawings and showed the Corn snake in red pattern while all other books I have seen use photos and show the orange pattern. The fist printing of my book was in the 1950s.

[@TheIndigoEclipse]

I dont mind at all seeing all these Cottonmouths. They're very sassy snakes. I love that sharp angle they have at the end of their heads. They might be common, but they're still beautiful. Some had some fairly bright patterns too.

[@eddieharris8547]

My most interesting things there were a May 7th trip where I didn't see a single cottonmouth. Mostly rough greens. Another trip I saw a guy collecting morels and other mushrooms. Had a buddy that got over 200 cottonmouths one day in October. I've never had an exceptional visit there.

[@erikguth4830]

My cousin In Louisiana had a neighbor family. Their little boys played all through the yard and under the porch. A cottonmouth tagged the boy under the porch. In Angeles hurry dad puts him in the car and speeds away only to backup and run over his other little boys both kids died that day and I’m certain the parents died inside

[@maxpine6113]

Neat! Heard a lot about it from a coworker when I was working in Carbondale last summer, but never went out there.

[@marcb4347]

Worked at Giant City state parks in the early 70’s and saw plenty. Also many Cottons and Water Moccasins at Crab orchard lake. We had to make a lot of noise walking to the dock to reach our sailboat as they loved to sun themselves on the dock.

[@petercarmeci8317]

Noah, you outdid yourself. I was planning on making a trip there next year. That place is awesome.

[@steelbob3]

Glad you enjoy southern Illinois. We have a pretty special place. I've met a lot of lifelong friends on snake road.

[@cctn2012]

Man that is a lot of snakes i live in east TN now but lived in S IL a few years as a young boy near Vieanna in Tunnel Hill and we saw a lot of snakes there as well. I have heard of that location but seeing this video wow seeing it is crazy thanks for putting it up!

[@JimHerbertOutdoors]

Nice to see a snake road video from you 👍 I'm from IL, been there probably 50-75 times

[@casualobserver77]

This is so cool Noah! I've been there many times. Such an amazing place to visit and see amazing herps. You're on my home turf and it's awesome to see... Keep up your superb content!

[@TheWinterShadow]

Snake Road: Everyone looks down for snake. Snake falls out of tree on shoulders instead.

[@sequoyah59]

Saw similar thing in the Ouchita Mountains of Oklahoma but with Copperheads. Hundreds of them in one place up on top of the mountains.

[@Brianlives707]

What an amazing place.Its great to know people respect this place and that so many herpers keep it safe. Definitely on my bucket list.

[@joemclaughlinmusic]

I'm so new to all of this I have never heard of snake road. I am curious if you've ever gone to my home state of Massachusetts? I'm not sure it's too exciting snake wise, though. I remember hunting salamanders with my older brother growing up. Guess that's herping? Love the videos. Thank you for posting!!

[@dawnroswall2327]

Goes out there at night just to sit? You guys are another breed of people. I would die from a panic attack knowing what is out there. Kudos

[@artsy897]

My thoughts exactly!

[@nmherper]

You panned over a cricket frog at 8:42 on the bluff (not sure if you saw it). I missed you by a few days!

[@kenamaro3942]

I love the markings on those baby Cottons..

[@mikefye4209]

Just drove it going up snake road to the North then back south on the 7-ish mile twisty road up on top of the bluffs in freezing weather. I'm sure all the snakes were well into brumation. I'm ready to walk it come spring.

[@Titus-as-the-Roman]

I used to work all over this part of Southern Illinois (Carbondale, Murphysboro, Marion, Ect), Southern Illinois is a rolling Prairie with areas of open land and heavy growth, subject to ponding in the rainy season, the drainage can be bad, Mosquitoes are the major topic in summer

[@carriegarrett1527]

I grew up on the edge of Shawnee Forest (near Goreville) and never realized how snake rich the area was. Great video!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Wow good lookin' chicken of the woods!

[@59dstorm]

They're all over. And chanterelle a bit earlier, great morel places in spring. Lions mane, etc

[@dianayount2122]

i have traveled fr michigan x 2 to enjoy the wonders of snake road. it is magical

[@Katiemoeser46]

no no no no. 😭 I loved watching this I don’t know why my fear is so great. to the point where I cried during this and had nightmares. I try to watch your videos to overcome…hopefully someday!!😅

[@DS-pf8mw]

Really enjoyable video. Thanks for sharing.

[@JimHerbertOutdoors]

Holy cow 1 mil views !!! Nice job man I wish my snake road vid got half of that

[@bebopkirby]

This looks like a wonderful place to take the wife and kids out for a walk in nature to enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna.

[@tedc7714]

Im 80 yrs old. Outdoors all my life .. huntung fishing and working. Have never been able to master my fear of snakes. They creep me out. I guess i was born with it.

[@bdpage2023]

Greatest concentration I've heard of is Murphy's Pond, owned by Murray State, KY.

[@mattsheezy5469]

You guys are very good at spotting them.

[@ziggy4465]

Another place that’s on my bucket list. Really diverse habitat and, as mentioned, it’s a convergence of species ranges. There are many species that I have yet to see in their native habitats. I’ve seen most of the species native to the East Coast, would love to see the Coral Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Rainbow Snake in the wild. That last one seems to be very difficult to locate. I’ve been places where I’ve been told they’re around and not seen any. The Coral Snake and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake I haven’t gone herping for yet, I’ve seen both in captivity down in Florida. You don’t really appreciate how large Diamondbacks are until you’re within six feet. Impressive animals. I’m also not comfortable around venomous species, so going to actively look for them hasn’t been a priority. Being within six feet is plenty close for me. I know that these animals are only dangerous if you do stupid things, but admiring from a distance eliminates any stupidity on my part. As you’ve shown many times, the snakes don’t chase you down to bite you. Most of the time they’re just sitting still hoping they aren’t noticed. I know you joke often, as you did in this video, about “the chase”. Always enjoy the content here, looking forward to the next videos. Always enjoy the videos you share.

[@Tenebarum]

I'm from south Florida and have never seen an Eastern Diamondback though I've tried. They're very elusive. I only see cottonmouths.

[@coryjackson8409]

Dang, like 20 minutes away from me😂. I was up in Cape yesterday actually. I’m glad you had a blast dude. Stay rad!!

[@jamesblake7338]

Wow very cool place!

[@guyinpajamapants6892]

My grandmother was from Mounds, IL. She said she used to see the cotton mouths frozen in the pond on her farm.

[@sabre5807]

This was so wholesome ❤

[@terrifiorelli9819]

I better not have a nightmare after watching this.

[@the_changing_point]

I didn't have to watch it to have nightmares with snakes, it's a regular dream I've had from a long time. Other regular dream is flying, I've even became aware that it's a dream I am experiencing but every sensation is are real real. Lol

[@user-oo6ty1yq2l]

I grew up around there, spent lots of time with the cotton mouths on that road. Very cool place.

[@jimlorenz5231]

I was born and raised in SE Perry County in the country and we had a lot of cottonmouths around the creeks there and copperheads were very abundant around the farmland in the hills around there.

[@jimlorenz5231]

In Missouri

[@shaarleeey]

Mike is really just another great Illinois man!!

[@christophernuzzi2780]

0:13 Cape Girardeau! There was a UFO crash there in 1941, 6 years before Roswell. A local preacher was called by first responders (they initially thought it was a plane crash) to administer last rites to the dying occupants. I know that sounds strange, but keep in mind this was rural Missouri in 1941. (Cape Girardeau is just across the Mississippi from Illinois.) His children and grandchildren still tell the story.

[@theysayisagorilla]

I saw one on the trail i walk here in Anderson Indiana which is located centrally of the state. It was nuts.

[@juliaanita234]

very beautiful habitat! Thanks for sharing!

[@kayakinggrandmakelly7105]

I was fixin’ to go and got scared that I’d step on one… (venomous snake) thanks for the video. Saves me the trip.

[@thomasaustin6360]

I live in Rockingham County North Carolina. It's amazing how many people think water snakes are cottonmouths here. They do not live here. I once in the fourth grade did a report on this. I made an A.

[@richardhincemon]

Cottonmouths live in the Southeastern quarter of N.C. coastal plains and long leaf pine forest they don't live in the Piedmont or any mountains of NC where the Nerodia sepidon northern watersnake are mistaken for the Akistrodon piscivorus Aka cottonmouth watermoccasin.