Eastern indigo snake
Conservation Messaging Opportunities
Physical features
The largest non-venomous snake in the United States, reaching up to 8 feet. Males are typically larger than females.
Dark black snake that may have a white or reddish colored chin. The scales are highly iridescent, often giving an overall hint of blue or purple in sunlight.
Active diurnal predators that will eat nearly anything that fits into their mouths. They will even eat venomous snakes and are immune to their venom.
Range and Habitat
Range – Southeastern United States in the Coastal Plain
Habitat – Sandhills, pine flatwoods, longleaf pine/wiregrass, wetlands, coastal scrub, and many other habitat types
Diet: Carnivore
Wild – Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians
Zoo – Chicks, mice, rats, quail
Lifespan
Wild – 15-20 years
Zoo – over 20 years
Reproduction
Males and females usually only come together for courtship and breeding, which takes place from Autumn into early Spring. Males and females may breed with multiple partners during the breeding season.
Females lay 4-12 eggs which take approximately three months to hatch.
Conservation: Least Concern
Loss of suitable habitat has been the largest threat to this species, which requires very large home ranges.
Rattlesnake Round-ups have been another concern as indigo snakes often live in gopher tortoise burrows, which are sometimes gassed to get the rattlesnakes to exit the burrow. The practice of gassing burrows is now illegal, but is difficult to enforce.
Eastern indigo snakes were once collected for the pet trade due to their calm demeanor and beautiful coloration. They are now protected throughout their range and by the Endangered Species Act.
Interpretive Information
Indigo snakes are powerful predators. While non-venomous, they don’t constrict their prey like many other non-venomous species. Instead, they use their strong jaws to hold onto struggling prey and swallow it down.
These snakes regularly use gopher tortoise burrows for shelter, but also act as predators of hatchling tortoises.
Individual indigo snakes have very large home ranges, sometimes nearing or exceeding 2 sq. kilometers.
References
Hammerson, G.A. 2007. Drymarchon couperi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 February 2015.
Drymarchon couperi: Animal Diversity Web: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Drymarchon_couperi/. Accessed 06 Feb 2015.
Updated February 2015