Found these grumpy guys out hiking

[JWFugle]

i was out hiking and riding the motorcycle and have came across a number of these guys in Southern IL.

some of these are from this spring and last fall but the rattler was just this weekend. if my IDs are incorrect feel free to correct me


first one was a slim little vine snake out cruising through the canyon

second i believe is a copper head. he was swimming around till he saw me watching then hid under the rocks

[JWFugle]

the next guy i found was really not happy i was walking by, he perked right up, puffed up and started me down. from google i think hes a cotton mouth. him, the copper head and the vine snake were all found on the same hike, copper and cotton were probably 20ft apart it was a great hike.

[JWFugle]

and saving the best for last. this one was so amazing for me. i nearly ran the guy over he was sprawled out on the road like a fat stick. but he sure showed me how upset he was about the near miss haha

believe him to be a 4-5ft timber rattler

i didnt try to piss him off but i did forcefully encourage him to get off the road before he pushed his luck with the next person

hopefully this video is view-able for you guys
https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfp1/v/t43.1792-2/10493678_10204534004938048_62569058_n.mp4?oh=91ffd 8ab5ba6306bb2691091e4cf021d&oe=53CDFC83&__gda__=1406006528_c6e2d0d5a315e8d28182966d9e8bf8e e

[franks]

So awesome. I wish I could see cool snakes around my house.

[herpman]

What a great hike. Id love to find a Timber Rattler. The Vine snake is actually a Rough Green Snake and the Copperhead is a Northern Watersnake. That Cottonmouth is awesome!

[FWK]

Wow, great finds. The Timber in particular, stunning animal. I agree with herpman, the first two are a Rough Green and Northern Watersnake respectively. Very good looking Cottonmouth as well.

[sharthun]

I concur with herpman and fwk. Awesome finds! Nice looking timber!

[54bogger]

Great pic's!

[JWFugle]

ok cool thanks for the clarification on species. yea the timber was truly amazing. did the video work? i wasnt sure if it would link ok.

the area i found the timber in is a place called "snake road" its a really cool area in southern IL if your in the area at the right time.

heres a little article about it if your interested. ive driven around the area at dusk and the roads are literally lined with big mean cotton mouths. its pretty sweet.

http://dailyegyptian.com/snakes-slither-across-southern-illinois/

[JWFugle]

fixed the video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRhiX1lN4fc&feature=youtu.be

[carpets4life]

the timber is a lucky find

[EL Ziggy]

Great finds and awesome photos JW.

[aaron_cg]

Jealous of you finding that timber. I have wanted to see one in the wild near years. One of my favorite snakes, and definitely my favorite hot.