JONESBORO, IL — Why did the chicken cross the road? Probably to avoid the damn snakes right behind it.

A road in southern Illinois, aptly named Snake Road, has closed to cars to allow snakes to cross without getting run over.

According to the Southern Illinoisan, the two-mile-long road that winds through Shawnee National Forest closed last Sunday and will remain closed until late October.

 

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I’ve added a new link to my bio. It’s a guide on how to walk LaRue Pine Hills Snake Road. Snake Road is having its annual fall migration starting this Sunday! Snakes and other critters will move from the swamps into hibernation in the bluffs. This forest road closes to vehicle traffic but foot traffic is always welcome and people from all the world come to see this unique event take place. The is truly one of the most unique Forest Service Roads in all the National Forests. Sometimes, if you go enough, you get to see rare snakes like the Mid Snake featured in this post. But there are venomous snakes present and you should watch your step. My guide gives you all the tips I can think of. Please consider sharing it! . . . . . . . . . . #shawneenationalforest #laruepinehills #snakeroad #snakeroadillinois #laruepinehillssnakeroad #shawneenationalforestillinois #shawneeforestcountry #shawneeforest #illinoissnakes #snakes #snake #snakemigration #snakemigratingseason #illinoiswildlife #snakephotography #snakesofinstagram #wildlifephotography #reptilesofinstagram #mudsnake #faranciaabacura #serpant #venomoussnakes #nationalforest #hikingwithshawn #bluffage #shawneeproud #optoutside #getoutdoors #southernillinois #shawneehills

A post shared by Hiking with Shawn (@hikingwithshawn) on Aug 27, 2019 at 6:24am PDT

It’s not just snakes, too. Frogs, turtles, newts and salamanders are also starting to migrate across the road from swamps to limestone bluffs where they’ll spend the winter.

Snowbird getaway? Hopefully they booked with a travel agent!

According the Forest Service, some species are endangered, which is why such measures are being taken. Visitors can still walk the road while it’s closed to cars but are prohibited from collecting or handling the species.

The road will be closed again in March as the animals head back home to the swamp.

via GIPHY