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I am possibly moving to Florida in a year or two. I contacted Florida F&G about having Eastern Indigos. He said I would need Federal permits, paperwork verifying that they are legal from me and the breeder, pics of cages(I think), and possibly the animals need to be PIT-tagged. Then I would need to fill out an application. Has anyone done this before? What are the odds? Is PIT-tagging bad? If they let me have Indigos, what will they have me do if the snakes reproduce?

Thanks,
Dan

The jury is still out on pit-tagging, I think. It seems not to bother larger snakes, but some think it's harmful (or even deadly) on small snakes.

As far as permits in Florida, I wouldn't really bank on getting them too much. In the few states that couperi are native to, getting the permit to keep them is extremely difficult for an individual. I'm not sure about Florida, but I know in Georgia, if you do manage to get a permit, it allows you to have 2 of the same sex and you must prove that you are using them a certain number of hours every year for educational programs. The requirements for application for the permits is the same. You ahve to have the Federal Permits (if you are transporting them commercially across state lines), documentation on origin, drawings and photos of the facilities and cages they will be housed in, and your facilities will be inspected at least annually.

The good news is that if you move to Florida, you will be living in the mecca of wildlife importation and also may be able to see Indigos in the wild, which is well worh the price.
The bad news is this: Of the 25 or so people that have emailed me in the past two years, that were either living in Florida allready or thinking of moveing there, approximately 0 received permits and were allowed to keep EASTERN INDIGOS(D.c.couperi)
That doesnt mean that you wont get one and I encourage you to try, but it seems that the state of Florida doesnt want residents owning Eastern Indigos...period. If I were you(My humble but sometimes worthles advice) I would get Yellowtailed Cribos, Rubidus, and Blacktails. Frankly yellowtails really are nice and I want some myself...badly But,I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours, again just because it didnt work for them doesnt mean it wont work for you, you never know. But, if it doesnt,you can always keep yellowtails (And send me some!!

**Cheers**

Fredrick Albury

I live in FL and based on what I've seen you have two chances of Fish and Wildlife allowing you to keep indigos...slim and none.
A friend of mine has been trying to get a permit to keep a single couperi for years to do educational talks (some of which he even does for F&W) and he has gotten nowhere. He was told by the F&W officer that does his venomous inspections that they really don't issue permits anymore even for educational purposes. I'm not trying to discourage you...if you've heard differently, go for it. I just wouldn't get your hopes up. I would get those requirements in writing if I were you because I can almost guarantee that they will change when you actually attempt to get that permit.
As Fred mentioned, there are many other great drys you can keep in FL and the slim chance of observing couperi in the wild makes field herping in FL exciting.
Good luck,
Chris

you are right I fogot erebennus. Damn...now where did I leave my toothbrush!!

lol

Fred Albury

Years ago I had a temporary permit. I do snake lectures for USFWS on Merritt Island Refuge. They called and talked to Florida Fish and wildlife. Any way They got into a bit of a juridiction war and my permit was revoked. Oh well It is much harder now. Buddy.

Dunno about your chances to keep indigos in Florida, but I think hatchling Drymarchon are still large enough to PIT tag successfully- if done very carefully. I'd probably still wait till they were at least 25-30 inches though, just to be sure. If they're adult, PIT tagging would be very easy and about 99% harmless.

Van

I do wish you good luck. As I'm somewhat bullheaded myself sometimes I'd try to beat the odds. Just think if you do SOMEHOW pull it off, you'll probably be on CNN!!!! LOL!
I've been waiting for over 20 years to own a Couperi LEGALLY, and then after I completed my 21 years in the Army my wife says: lets move to NC., I says: lets get an INDIGO!!!. . . SO I DID!!!
GOOD LUCK, but if it don't work I'd get an Erebennus, they make excellent pets as well and there are some dark ones out there!

ZEE