Snake Master! Pam and Bryan do Snake Road, Illinois

[@scotabot7826]

I thought it was completely Illegal to handle any snake at this particular location? Always heard that you will receive huge fines for breaking the laws!!!

[@tyrandyb4103]

It is illegal and there are signs saying that.

[@bacsi19461]

A local was recently fined for killing a protected timber rattler near snake road, the snake was bothering no one and was on the levee between snake road and the big Muddy River. Leave them alone. They do not chase or attack humans they only defend themself .

[@leslannom3041]

Pamela and Bryan, I applaud both you and the delightful video you have produced about Snake Road. I have spent many pleasant hours walking below the Pine Hills Bluffs. It's nice to see a couple who are both interested in and not afraid of reptiles... and don't pursue them to kill them. You send out a very worthwhile message. One of the main reasons the area is so rich in herptilian wildlife is that, through the efforts of Southern Illinois University and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the area is free of poachers. Fifty years ago your were free to collect whatever you wanted to from this rich habitat. Thankfully, that is no longer true. Now you don't want to be caught with hooks, tongs or collecting bags. If you are, there is a heavy penalty levied! I think that's a good thing. The wildlife is more plentiful now that it was when I was a kid, and that, too, is a good thing. Hope you come back here often and produce many more of your videos.

[@jamiesmith5391]

Les Lannom I agree with you they did a wonderful video. I just seen on the news this road is closed to cars during this time for the snakes to cross safely so I thought oh I wonder if someone has video of this and that brought me here.

[@gerryk.1426]

Terrific! One of the best videos I've seen, of any category. Occasionally but rarely I've seen a good number of snakes in one day, but never such variety and, sadly, never so well photographed and presented. I'm envious, but inspired -- even as light snow falls here; first time this year.

[@oceanofjelly]

It's illegal to handle the snakes in this area. Also, snakes are not "poisonous" they are venomous.

[@humbleone6405]

Cool video copperhead was beautiful. Lived in the area never saw a copperhead.. Good job

[@tedteodoro5907]

Thanks, people. I enjoyed and appreciate the video. Very well made. You must have been kidding when you said there are no poisonous snakes in Maine. Rattlesnakes, no?

[@edgirallenjoe29]

Just to let you know, the "Mississippi green watersnake" was actually a diamondback watersnake. They are VERY dark in that area. The green water snake is borderline endangered in Union and Jackson county. Amazing finds, guys. I have taken NUMEROUS trips to Snake Road, and I never see Crotalus or Agkistrodon. Amazing.

[@TheSnakeLibrary]

I love it! You guys did a really good job filming the habitat and those Timbers are really pretty. Your camera has an excellent zoom to. It took me forever to find a Rough Green, there really elegant snakes. One of my favorites.

[@jacksettleanimals]

Wow great job guys! I am going to Snake Road soon and you've got me excited for all the possible species I could see! There lots of species at Snake Road that we don't have where I live or I'll have more of a chance seeing there. Can't wait!

[@IRgEEK]

Great video. Thank you for the post!

[@ThePythonHuntress]

Great video and gorgeous snakes! I love snake road! I'm really looking forward to this spring.

[@Cerastes22]

In response to Chad Harrison... The watersnake in the vid was indeed a Mississippi Green. I have caught them on every trip I've taken to the "Road". They are readily distinguishable from other species by the presence of the subocular scale, and are not an incredibly rare find in this awesome location. Also Agkistrodon are easily the most commonly encountered snakes there! It is all in the luck of the draw!! I love Snake Road... been going there every year for several now, and I can't wait til my return!

[@kevinstermer5344]

Love the presentation. We are going there in six weeks. Hope to photograph many snakes

[@sunkhaze]

Thats fantastic! We live in Maine so its a bit of a long trip to get there. We thought about going this year, but maybe we can make it back next year. I know we had a great time. Thats really great you saw a copperhead! They are so beautiful.

[@susanhampton9308]

Very educational! Great video!

[@douglasstemke2444]

I didn't think one was supposed to handle snakes on snake road. Am I in error?

[@mustang4477]

This was an older video. Back then there wasn't a big deal about it and it wasn't prohibited. Because it's got to be so popular in that area they've had to change policy.

[@ericr.4607]

Amazing video and great bio diversity! At the end of the year i am releasing a video of all of the snakes i found this year. so far I'm at 22 species! What time of the year would you recommend going to snake road? I really want to go there before the year ends. Thanks a lot!

[@sunkhaze]

+Eric R. sorry to be late replying! We were there in September and it was perfect weather. I think your chances are better in the fall, but that is just a guess.

[@meghan7547]

There is a road in SE Illinois, Pine Ridge Natural Area, I believe is where they are. I have been there, if you are there at the right time in Spring or Fall.... is simply amazing the snakes you can see. :))

[@jondoe141]

nice vid, I love field herping also and I absolutely love people who respect nature

[@edgirallenjoe29]

@Defiant14 Wanna know a great trick? I used to have trouble finding them as well. But if you have any lakes near you, go to the woodland areas at night and scan the trees along the lake with a flashlight. They just pop right out as if they have reflectors on their sides. Provided you have them in your area. It is actually quite remarkable.

[@YenCrew]

Awesome video! thanks!

[@IllinoisTrails]

There are signs posted on both sides of the road stating that it is illegal to touch or disturb snakes on snake road. I go there once per year and have seen anyone violate this law until now.

[@DaveWhitacre1]

Does anybody know what date (of the year, what year doesn't matter), this video was taken? Things seem too leafed out to have been during the initial emergence of snakes from hibernation, and if not, I find it amazing that so many things were found crossing the road. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

[@aubreyackermann8432]

Another comment asked this and they said September

[@nicholasrezendes6191]

Loved the video

[@snakesandfrogs]

man this place looks like a dream come true!

[@EbAbDbGbBbEb]

I think you probably only saw 3 cotton mouths, and the same ones just kept following you and chased you back to your car to rob you. Crafty cottonmouths.

[@cactusbobaz]

Well done, nice job!

[@tvvsradio]

Great video, I'm going today to see what i can find.

[@jtsportscards94]

Y’all are crazy playing with death like that lol. Good video, but I would never do this

[@scotabot7826]

Never do what? Walk down a gravel road in the woods? Those snakes could not get them. Not sure what your talking about.

[@shellcrackerlover5889]

What should I wear?? Boots, but what kind?

[@Powerule23]

Exactly how long is snake road?

[@Jakehava]

Powerule, this links to an article that states that "...Snake Road, will close between milepost 3.0 and milepost 5.8.", so, about 2.8 miles: thesouthern.com/news/local/heavy-snake-traffic-to-close-road-in-union-county/article_6df6a116-685c-11e1-857b-001871e3ce6c.html

[@bacsi19461]

Illegal to touch any of the snakes we live with down in here S. Illinois where snake road is located, u can be charged for touching them.

[@globeflyer8]

what date was it when you filmed? I see you uploaded the video on Nov 3, but the leaf cover and your shirt make it look like it is mid september?

[@globeflyer8]

thank you! I just went today, Sep 21, 2012! We saw 7 snakes (4 species). We probably would have seen a lot more, but the heat and mosquitos defeated us! Still fun, though! Rough greens x 3, cottonmouth juvies x 2, HUGE copperhead, yellow bellied swamp snake!

[@jasonmiller4046]

are those snake proof socks

[@kaiclarke3145]

Amazing video

[@FFKDTP1]

Awesome!!

[@weedygarden]

You got much closer than I would have.

[@2729spock]

You are not allowed to handle any snakes on snake road! It would be good to know the rules before you post a video.

[@mustang4477]

This is an older video and it was different times back then. Things have changed a lot

[@wheelielucio82]

I SERPENTI SONO LA MIA PASSIONE... ANCHE A ME PIACEREBBE VIVERE LI DA VOI PER POTERNE FOTOGRAFARE COSI TANTI!!!!!!

[@sunkhaze]

we were on Snake Road September 26th, 2011.

[@Greg-oe5wj]

A platoon of mongooes would have wiped the floor up with all those snakes

[@BlaiseByrd]

Lol the snake master doesnt know that they are venomous not poisinous

[@liamhardie5954]

ya! venomous is injected like through a sting or a bite when poisonous is when it is consumed or absorbed

[@humbleone6405]

She's learning and out there trying. Why make rude remarks.

[@humbleone6405]

Rude Dude That's cool , I lived in that area for many years and never heard about the snake road until utube. I am fortunate to have a wife like that woman before we were hit with older age and being sick we (SHE) actually raised reptiles, over 25 old world chameleons, ect introduced me into the world of them. I wish we were capable of going there. Rude Dude if you ever get a chance to go to that area it's worth the effort., all of southern Illinois is neat, the cypress swamps are worth considering also.I missed snake road but all the others areas are beautiful. Your not crazy for loving snakes , alot of us do. Good luck

[@joshuahull9982]

Asshole!

[@NatureInYourFace]

Rude Dude the snake she called a cottonmouth in the beginning is 100% a young cottonmouth. They have a pattern as juveniles. Don’t be so quick to correct someone. 😎

[@shellcrackerlover5889]

That place is ate up, neat though

[@alaminamin4794]

nice

[@cherylsterrenburg5562]

Sorry to be 'that person' . . poisonous snakes????

[@sunkhaze]

you are not the first. Not worth going back to change one word. Hopefully that is not all you noticed!

[@billyswamphawk53]

that would be venomous snakes you can eat them and they won't poison you..

[@billyswamphawk53]

And one other thing it's saying it's a western cottonmouth but last I remembered that would be a northern cottonmouth??? old as the northern and western cottonmouth overlap territory???

[@edgirallenjoe29]

@edgirallenjoe29 Agkistrodon contortrix, I guess I should say. You can't go to snake road and NOT see Agkistrodon piscivorous lol.

[@nole8923]

I wouldn’t do that without a gun. The rattlesnakes I would let live, but I’d kill every cottonmouth I’d see. There are plenty of harmless water snakes that serve the same role in the ecosystem. The ecosystem would not miss the water moccasin. Human beings should be able to enjoy the water without that threat. For all you people who will try to shame me for my feelings on this, imagine rushing your child to the hospital after playing in the water because of a water moccasin not knowing whether your child will live or die.

[@bryanh609]

*venomous

[@mid-westbigfootresearchers8665]

nice