Rare Snakes in the Chicago Area

Chicago has 2 rare, endangered snakes. The first is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) and is the Chicago-area’s only venomous snake. Historically, this small “pygmy” rattlesnake was known to be very abundant in parts of the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed, but habitat loss and persecution have nearly eliminated it from northeastern Illinois. The massasauga primarily eats mice, smaller snakes, and frogs. It is listed as an endangered species by the State of Illinois, and it is a candidate for listing as a federally endangered or threatened species.

The second is the Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii) which was first discovered in this area and described to science by Robert Kennicott. He grew up during the mid-19th century in present-day Glenview and was to become one of Illinois’ first naturalists. Kirtland’s snake is a small species that eats worms, leeches, and slugs. It is also listed as a threatened species by the State of Illinois.

Both of these unique snakes live in wet, grassy, or shrubby meadows, and they hibernate in crayfish burrows. If water tables are altered, and the crayfish populations are affected, so are these snakes. So gone in my mind is the oft-perpetuated myth that Chicago has no poisonous snakes!


— Photos and information by Mike Redmer, Habitat Restoration Coordinator and Herpetologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as found in River Tales by The Upper Des Plaines River Ecosystem Partnership (UDPREP), published in 2007 in honor of the 50th annual Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon.