Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have talked to a few people who have purchased captive born Indigo snakes, and after several years, they are short,fat, and have not grown to their normal size.

Anyone have similar growth in their snakes? More importantly, what is the cause of this. They were purchased from different breeders, and were fed, and cared for correctly.

Thanks,

Jay

I recall seeing a wc male Texas indigo many years ago. Head was adult size. Body might have been about two 1/2 ft. long. Don't know cause.

I just think it's genetics - I had a beautiful baby born from a clutch 6 years ago. I promised my good friend Bob Henderson (author of Boas and Pythons) that I'd give him the pick of the litter. This baby was the first to take f/t mice right from the get go. Five years later Bob and I were talking about the indigo I gave him and he said that it had never missed a meal and yet had barely grown. I just figured it had but its hard to tell when you are raising it yourself. Due to travel and research, he decided to give it back to me. I nearly fainted - at 7 years of age, and, a snake who had never missed a meal in its life the indigo was a whopping 28" - looked kind of like a hognose snake. To this day, the snake hasn't grown and is the most voracious feeder I've ever seen (it now resides in my wife's science classroom). All of the other indigos from that same clutch grew up into big monsters. Since then, I've had one other "runt" from a different pair. These would normally be culled from natural populations but I'm sure it happens from time to time.

>>I recall seeing a wc male Texas indigo many years ago. Head was adult size. Body might have been about two 1/2 ft. long. Don't know cause.
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Interesting stuff though, n/p

LOL! That's actually pretty funny....

Rob,

Thanks for the reply. The snake that I am refering to is about 5-6 years old, and measures 36 inches, and weighs 650 grams. The person who owns this snake only fed it once a week (like he fed his cornsnakes) and I will assume that it was only fed one, or two mice at a time.

It is now on a diet of small rats, and being fed several times a week. I will keep a monthly record of weight, and length, and see if it grows over the next year.

The only 2 things that really could affect growth rates in captive born Indigos are genetics, and diet. I hope that the proper diet will help this "stunted" one out.

Thanks,

Jay

Since then, I've had one other "runt" from a different pair.

Hmm, I think I know something about that snake.

Eric
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

Rob
Don't forget about the one I bought from you.
She is the featured photo on the forum here.
She is a great snake!
She is only 4' though.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!