Approximately 10 species of snakes may be found in the park, including Common Gartersnakes, Fox Snakes, Smooth Green Snakes, Eastern Hognose Snakes, Brown Snakes. There are no records of either of Illinois’ two rattlesnake species being spotted in the park. While the snakes you are likely to encounter are non-venomous, handling of any wild animal is discouraged.
Below are some of the amphibian and reptile species you might encounter while exploring the park:
Frogs and Toads
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans)
Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor-chrysoscelis)
Salamanders
Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum)
Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)
Snakes
Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Plains Gartersnake (Thamnophis radix)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)
Kirtland’s Watersnake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus)
Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi)
Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
Turtles
Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens)
List of Lake County Amphibians and Reptiles
Key to Illinois Species