Is it legal to capture Texas indigos in the wild? I know easterns are protected and off limits.
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Texas Indigos
buddygrout
Dec 30, 2008 08:39 AM
Replies (1)
VICtort
Dec 30, 2008 01:01 PM
According to A. Tennant, Texas Snakes, 3rd Edition, 2006: "Snakes that are listed as protected or threatened nongame are regulated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and no person may take,possess, transport,export, sell or offer for sale, or ship any species of snake listed or protected." Texas Indigos, Drymarchon corais are listed as protected nongame. Drymarchon corais errebenus are listed as threatened. Note the reference to D.corais as being protected nongame, it does not distinguish subspecies i.e. D.c. errebenus, very restrictive, inclusive depending on how it is interpreted...
Some folks get in trouble by not understanding/complying with the no "take" restriction. You may not harass, manipulate, capture, kill, control etc., and some wardens are very expansive in defining "take", which may include moving for a photo, posing with, moving off road, etc.
Texas Indigos are also Federally listed, so USFWS would take an interest in persons who take them...
Of course, a few folks, institutions may get permits granted, but I am sure they are very restrictive.
So, the answer is "NO", you may not take from the wild.
Can someone from Texas and or LE confirm? Vic H.
