Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for information pertaining to both the Black Rat Snake and the Smooth Green Snake, specifically where to find them in WI. I have traveled, camped, and explored all over the state and have found many reptiles including; the common garter snake, ringneck snake, blue-racer, fox snake, bull snake, timber rattle snake, northern water snake, milk snake, many turtles, and even a praire or six-lined race runner. I have never found either the black rat snake or the smooth green snake. I spent some time searching at the Wyalusing State Park, which is within their range, but had no success.

If anyone has any information on specific locations where they have found either of these snakes, I would be interested to know where these locations are. I would also be interested in where to find the eastern hognose snake, as I have always been fascinated by these snakes but never found one of them.

I have seen many black rat snakes in Northern Jo Daviess county in Illinois. That is a stone's throw from Wisco. Unfortunately, I have only found them DOR, but it seems like I see at least one DOR every time I go out there-and they're big. I am sure that enough dusk/dark road cruising in summer would turn up a live one. I see them smashed on roads in and around Galena, and around the Apple River park, both of which are only a few miles from the border. These areas are also home to some of the prettiest eastern-hoggies I have seen. Can't help you with the green snakes, but just a guess-maybe the same areas flipping railroad ties along some tracks through fields?

Later, Matt

Thanks for your help Matt. I actually have friends in Galena that own quite a bit of farm land, so maybe I'll do some herping down there this spring. I'll post pics of anything that I find.

Chad

I was out on Sunday at Kickapoo Wildlife Area near Wauzeka, where the Kickapoo river meets with the Wisconsin river, but didn't see any snakes. A couple of turtles DOA, but no snakes.

Still looking for the elusive black rat snake.