Southern Illinois trip - first batch finished.

[Ultra Magnus]

Very nice- How long did it take to hunt all those guys down?

BM

[Sushigaijin]

Thanks everyone!

To answer as many questions as I can:

These were found in a three day trip. I know my way around the area fairly well, and guided the expedition to find the most productive spots, Snake Road was productive for a few species, but some are more easily found elsewhere. That particular ecosystem in southern illinois is unique - it is the collision of northern races and southern races in the most northern cypress swamp. Thus, the diversity is AMAZING.

With the heavy flooding that southern Illinois received this spring, amphibian numbers are WAY up. We actually had a hard time coming up with good snake numbers although we did see quite a few. The weather probably played a huge part in that - one site that we go to was completely flooded, and the cold (44f) night temps probably drove the snakes below ground. Amphibians couldn't care less, they prefer cooler temps and precipitation anyway.