They're not poisonous.

I always considered snakes as something that you deal with if you live in the country or in the south. Ever since it warmed up I already encountered three this year. WTF? Anyone else? I have no idea what kind they are or whether they are poisonous.

Elaborate.

I guess I assumed you live around Chicago. If you do, there is a 99.99% chance they're not poisonous. There aren't really any poisonous snakes around here... but you never know if an exotic pet escaped or whatever, I guess, or if it's one of the extremely rare types that is poisonous.

Exotic pet theory won't work. They were (1) on my way from 91st St Metra to my house, (2) neighbor's backyard, (3) my driveway. All looked similar. Researching interwebs sucks. Haven't been able to find any that look exactly like the ones I saw.

Garter snakes are venomous.

I mean, it is a joke amount...but that is the most common snake in Illinois, I believe.

So in other words...leash is wrong again.

I did. The ones in the neighborhood are brown, dry cocoa powder color, with small black spots. About 1/4 inch thick, 1 to 1 3/4 ft long.

Anilius chusbowlerus
Length: 3 - 6 cm
Notes: This species is interesting in that the male and female snakes swap gender roles.

It's amazing how many different species of animals/birds/etc., now seem to call the city home as opposed to 15 or so years ago.

Anilius chusbowlerus
Length: 3 - 6 cm
Notes: This species is interesting in that the male and female snakes swap gender roles.

I have a one-eyed, Illinois White Snake.

I too had never really seen snakes in the city before this year & now have seen two little worm snakes(thanks for the link IMU). It's amazing how many different species of animals/birds/etc., now seem to call the city home as opposed to 15 or so years ago.

But it was a little shocking for me to see an adult deer strolling around a park on 107th & Morgan.

See any coyotes?

Bald eagles are supposedly coming back too.

Bald eagles are supposedly coming back too.

There used to be about 5-6 nests just off the Calumet Expressway a couple of years ago. They may still be there as the area keeps getting cleaned up.

There are falcons everywhere now. I must admit to enjoy watching them kill birds and squirrels.

Anilius chusbowlerus
Length: 3 - 6 cm
Notes: This species is interesting in that the male and female snakes swap gender roles.

There used to be about 5-6 nests just off the Calumet Expressway a couple of years ago. They may still be there as the area keeps getting cleaned up.

There are falcons everywhere now. I must admit to enjoy watching them kill birds and squirrels.

RR's secret identity ...