Chicago Nature Blog: June 2012

I was tipped off to a location nearby that supposedly sustains a population of Kirtland's snakes (Clonophis kirtlandii). I haven't seen one of these in a very long time, so I drove over there and took a crack at trying to find one. The Kirtland's snake is quickly decreasing in numbers due to a number of factors including habitat loss and pollution. It is listed as threatened in Illinois, but in reality it ought to be classified as endangered (it is endangered in several nearby states). They aren't quite as tough as the Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) or most of the garters that are found in the area (Thamnophis). While looking for one, I was reminded of another sad situation. The frog situation looks gloomy - when all I see are bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and nothing else; no green or leopard frogs, that's a problem. Bullfrogs are not good indicators of a water body's health. They have easily adapted to the sort of greasy, stagnant, runoff-tainted sludge that has killed off other species that simply aren't as hardy. High levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and low dissolved oxygen have thumped the smaller frogs out of the picture. I remember as a kid, walking along the edges of the local fishing ponds and lakes, occasionally brushing my foot across the tall grasses, watching all kinds of frogs jump into the water. I would lose count of how many leopard frogs and green frogs I'd see. These days, for the most part, all I can muster are a few rotund, grunting bullfrogs. Which I suppose is better than nothing, but it shows how quickly an ecosystem can change at the hands of man.

I didn't find any Kirtland's snakes, but I did find a surprising array of other herp species. I nearly fell into the water grabbing a neonate Northern water snake. It was not happy being caught. I used the Samsung today with the understanding that I'd probably get dirty and so the pictures didn't come out that great. Still, another one for the 2012 list. Aside from that, I spotted a young snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), a painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), a spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera), the aforementioned bullfrogs, and a seemingly healthy supply of dragonflies and insects. I also eyeballed a number of minnows, sunfish, and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Oh yeah, and a big stinkin' dead muskrat, in all of its putrefied bloated glory.