The dorsal and lateral scales of the non-venomous eastern indigo snake are blue-black.
Florida and southern Georgia are just two examples of the southeastern U.S. states where eastern indigo is a natural plant. These snakes can be found frequently in cane fields, sandhill environments, and other arid and warm areas.
Eastern indigo snakes are simple to care for because of their laid-back demeanor. You’ll need a sizable enclosure because these snakes are thought to be the longest smooth-skinned snakes in America.
Overview of the Eastern Indigo Snake
| Typical Name: | Blue indigo snake, bull snake, gopher snake, and eastern indigo snake |
| Biological Name: | drying and coupling |
| Natural Environment | In the southeastern parts of the United States, you can find cane fields, sandy soils or hills, arid glades, flatwoods, and stream bottoms. |
| Adult Height: | 6.5 feet for women and 8.5 feet for men |
| Typical Lifespan: | 20–26 years spent confined |
| Diet: | Carnivorous |
| Housing: | Enclosure 6 x 3 x 2 feet, 70-78°F, and 85°F for basking |
| Level of experience: | Intermediate |
Origin
The southern parts of the United States, particularly Georgia, Florida, and southeastern Mississippi, are home to the eastern indigo snake (drymarchon couperin). These snakes are frequently seen in sand hills, sand soils, stream bottoms, and dry glades.
Seasonal changes affect the native habitat of the eastern indigo snake. Eastern indigo snakes spend the winter months in the burrows of gopher tortoises and spend the summer months near wetlands.
Eastern indigo snakes were added to the Endangered Species Act’s list of vulnerable species in 1978. Eastern indigos are no longer found in the wild due to over-collection; instead, only captive-bred snakes can now be marketed.
Related reading: Eastern Kingsnake, Prairie Kingsnake, Western Hognose Snake
Manifestation and conduct
Eastern indigo snakes have blue-black dorsal scales and lateral scales. These snakes have reddish-orange markings on their faces, chins, and throats as well.
The eastern indigo snake seems solidly black from a distance, yet up close and in direct sunshine, the skin’s blueish undertones can be noticed. Sexing these snakes is challenging because the patterns and colors are the same on men and females.
Size and Duration
Greater size exists in male eastern indigo snakes than females. Males can reach lengths of 8.5 feet, while females typically reach lengths of 6.5 feet.
The average longevity of males and females in captivity is 26 years. Eastern indigo snakes have a life expectancy of only 11 years in the wild, which is likely to be less than that of captive snakes.
Temperament
Eastern indigo snakes love being active and have a laid-back disposition. Although eastern indigo snakes rarely exhibit hostile behavior, they may hiss loudly, flatten their heads, and shake their tails in response to a threat.
As long as the enclosure has enough space, you can keep two eastern indigo snakes together. It’s possible for two snakes kept together to grow stressed, so keep an eye on your reptiles and separate the pair if you see hissing, striking, loss of appetite, or regurgitation.
The gentle giants known as eastern indigo snakes don’t mind being handled gently. Because they are non-venomous, these snakes are safe to handle.
Eastern Indigo Snakes’ residence
Eastern indigo snakes are quite active and accustomed to explore their surroundings. Before you purchase one of these snakes, consider whether you can comfortably keep one in a large tank because these snakes don’t appreciate being confined.
In your enclosure, make an effort to mimic the natural surroundings for your eastern indigo snake. Due to their habit of hiding and burrowing, eastern indigo snakes require a lot of substrate in their tanks, as well as a box where they may rest. Branches or logs should be added to the cage so that people can climb them.
The eastern indigo snake does well in both terrariums and vivaria.
Case dimensions
Eastern indigo snake hatchlings will survive in a plastic container with good ventilation. The size of your snake’s enclosure should increase as it develops. A 2 x 1 x 1 foot enclosure is required for an eastern indigo snake that is six months old. A 6 x 3 x 2 foot enclosure is required for adult eastern indigo snakes.
Make sure your eastern indigo snake’s enclosure has enough height for it to ascend.
Lighting
There are no specific lighting needs for eastern indigo snakes. To simulate day and night, you should put illumination in your eastern indigo snake’s enclosure.
To give your snake ample natural light if you’re housing it indoors, put the enclosure in a room with a window. It is not necessary to use UVA or UVB lamps because they can make your eastern indigo snake more active.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
The temperature in the enclosure of your eastern indigo snake should range from 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though eastern indigo snakes don’t need hot weather, you should nevertheless provide a basking place that is about 85 degrees.
Your snake can control its body temperature by moving between areas of the enclosure with varying temperatures. After basking, your snake needs to cool off in a cool area away from the sun.
In big tanks, providing temperature fluctuations is simple. Use a thermometer to gauge the temperatures in the tank and the basking area to ensure that they are appropriate.
For eastern indigo snakes, humidity is not a significant influence. You won’t need a sprayer, fogger, or humidifier if you utilize a damp hide box to provide enough humidity.
Four to six times a year, eastern indigo snakes shed their skin. To prevent the snake’s outer skin from becoming dry and making shedding more challenging, spray it every day before it sheds.
Substance and Adornment
Because eastern indigo snakes don’t have a favorite substrate, you can choose any substrate you like.
Paper towels and newspapers, which are common substrate materials, work well. These substrates are simple to clean, reuse, or swap out during Cleaning. These substances aren’t the ideal for digging, though.
Options for naturalistic substrates include aspen, coconut fiber, and cypress mulch. The greatest options for an eastern indigo snake are these substrates since they function well.
The enclosure for your snake should be furnished with lots of places for climbing, burrowing, and hiding. Provide plenty of branches, water dishes, and hiding places inside the enclosure. A dry location, a warm area, and a moist region should all be accessible to your snake.
A hide box stuffed with moist sphagnum moss would look nice. Create your own hide box by cutting a hole in the lid of a plastic storage container. Ensure that the edges are rounded to prevent your snake from hurting itself.
For claiming, branches and logs are necessary. Elephant trees, climbing aloe, and ponytail palms are a few snake-safe plants that are suitable for your enclosure.
Cleaning
Eastern indigo snakes commonly expel watery waste, therefore it’s crucial to keep the tank clean to prevent bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.
At least once a day, spot-clean the enclosure, eliminating waste and refilling substrate as necessary. Rotately removing and cleaning each plant and adornment. Warm water and soap can be used to clean the majority of things.
Every two to three months, give the enclosure a thorough cleaning. Place your eastern indigo snake in a safe temporary enclosure while you conduct a thorough cleaning.
In the container, add a plant and a bowl of warm water so your snake may unwind and soak while you clean. Eastern indigo snakes might become anxious when their enclosures are moved, so they will feel more at ease in a setting they are accustomed to.
Wipe down the entire enclosure with hot water and dish soap, then let it air dry. Deep cleaning will focus on places that a spot clean can’t reach, like beneath the substrate and on the underside of plants.
Use a 10% bleach solution to get rid of tough stains if cleaning with water and dish soap isn’t working. Before your snake enters the enclosure, properly clean the space and let it air out.
Care for Eastern Indigo Snakes
The care of an eastern indigo snake is simple. Your snake should live happily if it has access to enough food, water, and a cozy environment.
Water and Food
Eastern indigo snakes devour anything they can get their hands on in the wild, including lizards, birds, small animals, rodents, smaller snakes, and smaller snakes. The prey of these snakes is not constricted. Instead, they prepare their food by crushing it between their jaws before eating.
Feeder snakes, birds, bunnies, chicks, and rodents are all acceptable food for eastern indigo snakes. You might get ideas for meals at your neighborhood reptile store. Snakes from the east will consume practically everything.
For eastern indigo snakes, the safest food is pre-killed or frozen-thawed food. Your snake is likely to suffer injury if it tries to catch live prey inside of its enclosed habitat.
Eastern indigo snakes have quick metabolisms and are busy animals. Every 7 to 10 days, you should feed your snake. You should make sure that each meal is smaller than your snake’s girth because these snakes’ jaws can’t open as widely as those of other snakes.
Monitor your snake’s weight and alter feeding schedules as necessary. Eastern indigo snake juveniles frequently experience a rapid growth stage, which allows them to consume more food than adults. You should feed your adult snake once a week to reduce the danger of obesity.
Give your snake continuous access to a clean water supply. Put a dish of water within your enclosure, and change the water every day. Eastern indigo snakes have the ability to detect unclean water and won’t ingest it. Keep the water in your enclosure as fresh as you can to ensure that your snake is well hydrated.
Handling
Eastern indigo snakes can be handled gently and are amiable. These snakes can be challenging to manage, though, as they are big and heavy.
Before you try to handle your snake, make sure it is acquainted to you. When you feed your snake once a week, you can get to know it. Twice daily, open the container and touch the substrate with your hand. Thus, the snake will become accustomed to your scent.
Wash your hands to get rid of any food smells before touching your snake to prevent bites. Stop and return another time if your snake hisses, flattens its neck, or vibrates its tail. These are symptoms of stress in your snake. A sleeping snake is safer to handle.
When picking up your snake, use both hands. Hold one hand under the last third of your snake and the other hand below the snake’s body halfway down. Your snake’s entire body will be supported by this. Allow your snake to settle in and change its position.
You should only handle your eastern indigo snake for no more than 15 minutes each day. Keep an eye on your snake’s personality. While some snakes prefer to be left alone, others don’t mind being touched.
Typical Health Problems
Eastern indigo snakes are prone to several widespread health problems, such as:
respiratory conditions
The incorrect humidity and temperature settings inside the cage might lead to respiratory issues including pneumonia. Except when they are shedding, eastern indigo snakes require habitats that are dry and low in moisture.
Keep an eye out for nasal discharge as a sign of respiratory issues. If you see nasal discharge, take your snake to an exotic veterinarian. Antibiotics can be administered orally or intravenously.
Bleeding Disorder
Your eastern indigo snake will be more susceptible to skin diseases, such as blister disease, if the substrate is wet or damp.
When handling your snake, pay close attention to its skin. Use snake-friendly creams to treat blisters, or get medicines from your veterinarian. Before giving your snake back, you should also clean its enclosure and refill the substrate with dry material.
Parasites
Living in a cramped or unsafe enclosure increases the risk of parasitic diseases in snakes. Depending on the type of parasite infection, there are many treatment options.
In unsanitary conditions, parasites proliferate. By frequently cleaning your snake’s habitat and taking out waste every day, you can avoid parasite infections.
Anorexia
Eastern indigo snakes are picky about their surroundings, and if their living conditions aren’t suitable, they can stop eating.
Usually, lowering your enclosure’s temperature can cure anorexia. When it’s time to molt, your snake will also cease eating. You shouldn’t feed your snake again until the shedding is finished.
If the conditions in your snake’s enclosure are ideal and it still isn’t eating, get medical help.
Breeding
Between October and February, when the temperature is 50 to 60°F and the bulk of snakes are hibernating, wild eastern indigo snakes reproduce.
Males kept in captivity will attempt to mate with ovulating females at any time of year, but only if the female is ovulating. A pheromone is released by females during ovulation. Males will follow the ovulating female since they are able to sense this fragrance.
To encourage female ovulation, shorten the day to mimic winter lighting. An eastern indigo snake spends about 11 hours of daylight each day in its natural environment throughout the winter. You can reduce your daylight hours by closing the curtains in the room where the enclosure is located or by using artificial illumination. Alternatively, wait until the amount of daylight hours naturally increases in late November or December before breeding your snakes.
To breed, pick a huge female and a strong man. In a separate area, introduce the snakes and watch for symptoms of stress or hostility. If you see any of these symptoms, get rid of the woman right away.
Females will deposit up to 12 big eggs over the course of four months after giving birth. The eggs should be incubated between 72° and 75°F. About 90 days will pass before the eggs hatch. After hatching, the young take up to two days to exit the eggs.
Purchase and Selection of an Eastern Indigo Snake
An eastern indigo snake often costs $300 to $500. Adult snakes sell for between $800 and $1,000. Due to the fact that they don’t need to be raised or prepared for reproducing, adult eastern indigo snakes are more expensive than newborns.
Eastern indigo snakes are rare and on the verge of extinction. However, captive eastern indigo snakes are still available for purchase. You must accurately record your purchase. Additionally, as the eastern indigo snake is a protected species, you will require a permission.
You might be able to purchase an eastern indigo snake from your neighborhood pet store if you reside in Florida, South Carolina, or Alabama. If not, you can get these snakes online. Ensure that the breeder you choose has the required selling documentation and is a reputed one.
Examine the snake for bruising, scratches, lethargy, or any other illness-related symptoms before purchasing an eastern indigo snake. This shows that the snake was badly cared for. Eastern indigo snakes are sometimes illegally captured and sold by breeders. Avoid purchasing an eastern indigo snake from an unreliable breeder.
