Unseasonably warm temperatures across Southern Illinois have prompted the U.S. Forest Service to extend the annual fall closure of Snake Road in the Shawnee National Forest.
Forest Service officials announced that Snake Road will remain closed to motor vehicle traffic through Thursday allowing additional time for snakes and other reptiles to complete their seasonal migration.
The road, located in the LaRue-Pine Hills area of the Shawnee National Forest in Union County, is closed twice each year to protect wildlife traveling between seasonal habitats.
During the fall migration, snakes move from their summer habitat in LaRue Swamp to their winter habitat among the limestone bluffs.
Officials say warmer-than-normal temperatures have extended this year’s migration period, requiring the road to remain closed longer than originally anticipated.
While motor vehicles are prohibited during the closure, visitors are still permitted to walk along Snake Road and observe the migration firsthand.
The area is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, photographers and wildlife observers who travel to Southern Illinois to witness the seasonal movement of snakes and other reptiles.
Visitors are encouraged to observe wildlife from a safe distance and avoid disturbing or handling the animals.
The Forest Service expects the extended closure to conclude Thursday.
Additional information about Snake Road, wildlife safety and visiting the area is available through the Shawnee National Forest website.