Indigo Snake Care & Natural History

[BronxZooFrank]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquarium, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

The magnificent Eastern Indigo Snake, Drymarchon couperi, is the longest of all snakes native to the USA, but occupies one of the smallest ranges. These facts, along with stunning coloration and its reputation as a responsive pet, place the Indigo on the wish lists of serious snake keepers and zoos worldwide. I had the good fortune to assist with an Eastern Indigo breeding/release program headquartered at the Bronx Zoo, which was both fascinating and frustrating. Today I would like to pass along some thoughts on its natural history and captive care.

Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

 

[Aweshade9]

One of those crawled into my neighbors garage, and he killed it. It was around 4-5 feet. Shame

 

[Vicious_Fish]

One of those crawled into my neighbors garage, and he killed it. It was around 4-5 feet. Shame

Are you sure it wasn't a common Black Rat Snake?

 

[Aweshade9]

I guess it was. The head profile looks more like the rat snake. Still a shame.

 

[snakeguy101]

I disagree with the feeding section. Because their natural diet consists of lean snakes, they should be fed less often when being offered the fatty rodents. I have seen many obese indigos that were fed as if they were a python or rat snake. Mine eats once a month and is perfectly healthy. Over feeding will result in a shorter lifespan and breeding complications.

 

[BronxZooFrank]

Hello all,

Thanks for your interest. re feeding, natural diet is extremely diverse; as always, captive animals' condition will depend on a great many factors...temperature, enclosure size, time of year, and so on. I've done well with the feeding regime described, in a breed/release program jointly sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society and US F&W Service, but there are many other options. re natural diet, this abstract and the references listed there may be of interest. According to several colleagues with the Orianne Society, that organization is also doing some interesting research on this species.

 

[snakeguy101]

Hello all,
According to several colleagues with the Orianne Society, that organization is also doing some interesting research on this species.

I work closely with the orianne society and have been published through them.