Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Pertaining to the IL populations of collaris.

Has anyone tried looking for additional populations along the Mississippi River (assuming suitable rocky/glade habitat exists)? I ask because it occurred to me a few days ago that there might be "legitimate" (not introduced as the known population is believed to be) populations in those areas due to seismic activity (New Madrid etc) shifting the flow of the Mississippi from historical watercourses, thereby cutting off once-contiguous populations collareds and "stranding" them on the IL side of the MO/IL border.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

along the Mississippi...alright, enough BS out of the way LOL

I have talked to some people that informed me of the whereabouts of the Illinois collaris. What I was told that they have not been seen with "some effort" over the last 2-3 years. When I'm down that way, I'm usually in hot pursuit of red milk snakes, or timber rattlesnakes, so have not put forth any time looking for collareds.

I honestly would think they were be pockets of populations somewhere. It just seems too easy for some serious flooding to float a few over. Who knows though.

John E.

>>I have talked to some people that informed me of the whereabouts of the Illinois collaris. What I was told that they have not been seen with "some effort" over the last 2-3 years.

The known population (Johnson County?) is not what I had in mind--I'm thinking of the possibility of some closer to the St Louis area and parts downstream.

>>I honestly would think they were be pockets of populations somewhere. It just seems too easy for some serious flooding to float a few over.

I'm not even considering the "accidental migrant" theory, which is possible but not plausible in establishing a reproducing population. I'm talking about large bends in the Mississippi River existing a thousand years ago, then the river changing course after an earthquake--meaning where the river USED to be is now dry land in IL, and the present river is many miles west (the potential lizards living on what used to be a "thumb" of land contiguous with Missouri would now be on the IL side of the river).

Maybe a little far-fetched, but if someone has a URL to point me towards which discusses historical drainage of the Mississippi I'd be grateful.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet