Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm heading to Starved Rock and/or Matthiessen this Friday for a little herping. Does anyone have any experience at either park? Specifically John E or Warmouse.... I'd go to Shawnee but I can only swing a day trip and thats about a 7 hour drive for me, so its not happening this weekend. Thanks in advance for any hints, tips, cautions, or otherwise...

-Jason

I have never been there, and am not too sure where it is at. Not sure what will be found there, but will be interested in your finds none-the-less. I live in the Decatur area, and have to drive 4 hours to see snake road. My wife doesn't really like me to take any herp trips LOL.

Where are you at?

John Eddington

Sorry can't help I've never been there. I know of very few spots to find herps and have visited very few spots outside of chicago. When I am not at school in Indiana i usually find myself herping within city limits of chicago. This can be rather exciting and sometimes a little scary. Some of the "remote" spots that herps inhabit in the city of chicago are also sometimes inhabited by people that aren't doing the most lawful of things. Anyway sorry to get off the subject but good luck i'm sure you will find something and do any of you guys know of an area on the border of indiana and illinois thats good for bullsnakes and box turtles? I know of an area through reading websites and using a map, that may have some and i just want to confirm it before i go there.

I don't know of any specific spots for Bullsnakes. In case anyone isn;t aware, this is a great resource for Illinois herping: http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/county.html

-Jason

>>I'm heading to Starved Rock and/or Matthiessen this Friday for a little herping. Does anyone have any experience at either park? Specifically John E or Warmouse.... I'd go to Shawnee but I can only swing a day trip and thats about a 7 hour drive for me, so its not happening this weekend. Thanks in advance for any hints, tips, cautions, or otherwise...
>>
>>-Jason

Hey,

I live in DuPage and do most of my herping in will and cook. It is rather difficult to find herps in the Chicago area. I am only 15 but I have had tremendous help from some friends at the US fish and wildlife, IDNR, and INHS. The salamanders are in full swing right now and the northern leopards have just started. I have seen a few garters and dekays snakes. However, nearly all good habitat is on preserves. I dont know much about starved rock. You could tell me what you would like to find and I could give you a few places. But you must swear not to collect as. With this warmup expected the snakes should be! Here is a dupage vulpina.

Mike

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I have:
1.1 Kankakee Bulls
1.0 veild chameleon
0.1 corns
0.1 az king
1.2 tiger sals
2.3 blue spotted sals
0.1 3-toe box turtle
0.1 Crotaphytus collaris
1.1 Crotaphytus binctores
0.1 desert kings
1.0 Bearded Dragon (german giant)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (orange)
1.2 Bearded Dragon (red sandfire X yellow pastel/red sandfire)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Citrus X yellow pastel)

I'm looking for snakes, primarily... from garters to fox snakes to ratsnakes... whatever I might run across. My intention is photography and survey. I don't expect to collect anything unless I find something very peculiar that hasn't been recorded in the areas I'm going to (for release after verification) or something that flat out doesn't belong. I'll post my findings when I get back, along with and pictures hopefully.

>>I'm looking for snakes, primarily... from garters to fox snakes to ratsnakes... whatever I might run across. My intention is photography and survey. I don't expect to collect anything unless I find something very peculiar that hasn't been recorded in the areas I'm going to (for release after verification) or something that flat out doesn't belong. I'll post my findings when I get back, along with and pictures hopefully.

There is only one locale of ratsnakes in the area, in will. That population only consists of 10-20 adults. I'm not to sure if any fox snakes are out but I wouldnt doubt it. You can find eastern garters, plains garters, n. waters, dekays, and fox snakes just about anywhere that looks suitable. If you would like to find some eastern milks and redbellies, head down to lemont. There are a few queen snakes and eastern yellowbelly racers near romeoville. Here is a link to one of my favorite spots. All back in that area is trash to flip. The one field is a dumping ground for cement workers so there are tons of rocks to flip. I believe that it will be bulldozed soon if it hasnt already. They just recently cut down a line of trees. Good luck.
Mike
Map

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I have:
1.1 Kankakee Bulls
1.0 veild chameleon
0.1 corns
0.1 az king
1.2 tiger sals
2.3 blue spotted sals
0.1 3-toe box turtle
0.1 Crotaphytus collaris
1.1 Crotaphytus binctores
0.1 desert kings
1.0 Bearded Dragon (german giant)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (orange)
1.2 Bearded Dragon (red sandfire X yellow pastel/red sandfire)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Citrus X yellow pastel)

If you are willing to drive an hour or two south... You should go to the Iriquois county conservation area. They have TONS of herps. Some include; blue racers, eastern hogs, western hogs, bulls, glass lizards, race runners, and ornate box turtles. I think I might go down there this weekend cuz with this warm weather EVERYTHING will be out. There is tons of private property with trash galore! Ask for permission to go on private land. Watch out for rusty objects and cactus. Here is a pic of a CB kankakee bull.

Mike

-----
I have:
1.1 Kankakee Bulls
1.0 veild chameleon
0.1 corns
0.1 az king
1.2 tiger sals
2.3 blue spotted sals
0.1 3-toe box turtle
0.1 Crotaphytus collaris
1.1 Crotaphytus binctores
0.1 desert kings
1.0 Bearded Dragon (german giant)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (orange)
1.2 Bearded Dragon (red sandfire X yellow pastel/red sandfire)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Citrus X yellow pastel)

Mike
You wouldn't happen to be the same Mike that has that online reptile journal? If you are that is a really nice website with some good pictures. just though i would let you know.

>>Mike
>>You wouldn't happen to be the same Mike that has that online reptile journal? If you are that is a really nice website with some good pictures. just though i would let you know.

Hey,

No that is Mike Pingelton's site(sorry if i misspelled). I am Mike Brown.

Mike
-----
I have:
1.1 Kankakee Bulls
1.0 veild chameleon
0.1 corns
0.1 az king
1.2 tiger sals
2.3 blue spotted sals
0.1 3-toe box turtle
0.1 Crotaphytus collaris
1.1 Crotaphytus binctores
0.1 desert kings
1.0 Bearded Dragon (german giant)
0.1 Bearded Dragon (orange)
1.2 Bearded Dragon (red sandfire X yellow pastel/red sandfire)
1.1 Bearded Dragon (Citrus X yellow pastel)

n/p

what's the address to the reptile journal?

Ryan

Mike-

I have been to many herp locations in the chicago area, especially in Dupage. I am 18, and if you want to contact me through e-mail, we could share some good local spots. I might just be paranoid, but I dont trust just anyone with the locations I go to.