EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE

Common Names: “Blue bullsnake,” “blue gopher”. (In Latin America called cribos.)

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Serpentes

Family: Colubridae

Latin Name: Drymarchon corais couperi

Habitat and Range: Primarily southeast Georgia, Florida and the Florida Keys (although they have been observed in neighboring states). Sandy soiled, open woodlands, especially areas of pine and scrub oaks, palmetto stands; near canals and other water sources; agricultural areas such as orange and mango orchards; gopher tortoise burrows.

Description: Large, glossy, entirely blue-black snake with a red, orange, or reddish-brown throat. (Some have white patches on lips or throat.) Scales normally large and smooth (but some large males may have faintly keeled scales on as many as five mid-dorsal rows).

Adult Size: 60-84”; record 103½”.

Life Span: Record in captivity, according to Audubon, is nearly 26 years.

Diet in the Wild: Frogs, small mammals, birds, other snakes (including venomous ones), lizards. Indigo snakes frequently consume small turtles, which is extremely unusual for snakes. Captive snakes also will eat fish.

Reproduction: Breeding period: November-February. Clutch size 5-12 leathery eggs, 3-4” long, deposited in rotting logs and mammal and gopher tortoise burrows. Hatchlings 19-26” long, patterned with whitish bands.

Perils: Humans. habitat loss and the Pet trade.

Interesting Facts. There is only one species of indigo snake. The indigo is neither venomous nor a constrictor. Prey is quickly seized, immobilized by a body loop or coil, and rapidly swallowed. When disturbed, it hisses, vibrates its tail, and flattens its neck vertically (not horizontally as do the hognose snakes). Unfortunately it is fairly docile once captured. This is a restless snake which tends to be very “busy” when handled.

Ecology: The indigo is a benign, beneficial snake causing no problems to human beings. Unfortunately it is vanishing from the wild. Because of its beauty and temperament it once was one of the most sought after species of snake for the pet trade. Habitat destruction has further reduced its numbers. Especially critical is the loss of gopher tortoise burrows, in which this species and many other species of mammals, reptiles, arthropods, etc., typically take refuge.

7/07 Folklore/Human Culture: Indigo snakes, including imported tropical ones, were long popular with snake charmers and carnival “pit” shows, in which they were exhibited as “blue bull snakes” or “blue gophers.” These names still are in use in some areas.

Current Status: Indigo snakes are protected in Florida and Texas (and perhaps elsewhere.) Such laws do little to help endangered and threatened species unless the habitat is protected, also.

Diet at the Zoo: Rodents

Primary References:

Alden, P., R. Cech, and G . Nelson, National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. New York: Alfred A. Kopf, 1998.

Behler, J. L., and F. W. King, Eds. National Audubon Society Field Guide to NA Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996.

Conant, R., and J. T. Collins, Peterson Field Guides: Reptiles and Amphibians, Eastern/Central NA, Third Ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991.

Matison, C., Keeping and Breeding Snakes. New York: Sterling Publishers, Inc., 1996.

Mehrtens, J.M., Living Snakes of the World. New York: Sterling Publishers, Inc., 1987.

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