They are pretty common in some areas where they are found, but completely absent in other areas they once occupied. The require large tracts of unbroken habitat with access to wetlands and high/dry ground with gopher tortoises, especially in the northern parts of their range. For this reason their populations have been significantly reduced. A busy road between the high ground and the low ground will completely wipe out an indigo population. They're completely gone from the Florida panhandle, and Alabama. There are only a few isolated populations in Georgia.

Even in Central Florida where they can seem common, they are only present in certain chains of relatively unbroken habitat. They used to be statewide.

A lot of younger Florida herpers have never seen an indigo, and a lot of old-timers haven't seen them in "years". I took a friend out to look for pine snakes a few months ago. We didn't find a pine snake, but did find an indigo. This was his first indigo in over 20 years. It was my second in 2 weeks.

[ Show Entire Thread ]