They are most commonly an iridescent black color all over their body, including the belly, but some have orange-red on the chin and throat.Įastern indigos are not common pets, as they are a federally protected species with strict exportation laws between states, and typically require a permit to keep. This species has a fairly typical colubrid build, with a robust body, oval head, smooth scales, and ridged “eyebrow”-like scales above dark eyes. These snakes are terrestrial and generally prefer wetland areas for habitat, but they have adapted to live in a variety of other habitats, including prairie, coastal dunes, flatwoods, and scrub.Įastern indigo snakes are capable of growing up to 8.6’ long, but they are more typically between 5-7’ long, with males being significantly larger than females. Grosse, University of Georgia – edited by J.D.Eastern indigo snakes ( Drymarchon couperi ) are the largest snakes native to the United States, specifically present in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 2(3):393-408.Īccount author: Andrew M. Survey and Monitoring of the Eastern Indigo Snake in Georgia. Listed as a federally threatened species in Georgia and Florida,ĭue primarily to habitat loss. Also, these snakes will occasionally feed on young gopher tortoises.Ĭonservation Status: The eastern indigo snake is currently Indigo snakes regularly feed on mammals, birds, frogs and other snakes, including rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. Despite these intimidating acts, the indigo snake rarely bites. When cornered, they may flatten their heads, hiss and vibrate their tails, which produces a rattling sound. Indigo snakes breed in the winter and are more active in cold weather than most other snakes. During the summer they prefer wetland edges where prey is abundant but move to drier habitats in the winter. Habits: Indigo snakes are active strictly by day. During the active season indigo snakes may move long distances and often forage along wetland margins. These snakes use gopher tortoise burrows as shelter during the winter and during the warmer months for nesting and refuge from intense summer heat. In the Southeast, indigo snakes are restricted to areas of xeric pine-oak sandhills, which are usually inhabited by gopher tortoises. were considered to be the same species, D. ![]() Until relatively recently, all indigo snakes in the U.S. The closely-related Texas indigo snake ( Drymarchon corais) is found in southern Texas and other subspecies range into Central and South America. ![]() Although reported historically from extreme southern South Carolina, indigo snakes have not been confirmed in the state in recent years and the early records are questionable. ![]() Range and Habitat: Eastern indigo snakes are restricted to Florida and southern areas of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Indigo snakes are sexually dimorphic, with males growing to larger lengths than females. Juvenile indigo snakes look very similar to adults but have much more red on their heads. The chin and sides of the head are usually colored reddish or orange-brown. It is the longest snake native to the United States, ranging in size from 60-84 inches (152-213 cm), and is entirely shiny bluish-black color, including the belly. Willson unless otherwise notedĭescription: The eastern indigo snake ( Drymarchon couperi) is a massive, black snake. Eastern Indigo Snake ( Drymarchon couperi)
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