Reptile & Amphibian Forums

that was supposedly a wild one?? It was awfully mellow and tame. I thought that the Indigo was a fairly aggressive snake, W/C that is. Or am I under the false assumption? I havent ever had the opportunity to handle one of these magnificent animals, but they sure are a beautiful snake!!

Brian Baker
1.0 cornsnake
2.0 black rat snake
1.0 everglades rat
0.1 yellow rat
1.1 california king
1.0 prairie king
0.1 black king
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Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

Eastern Indigos Drymarchon corais couperi are not particularly defensive, aggressive or "bitey", even freshly caught wild ones as a general rule. That does not mean they won't bite you, some will, some won't. In my experience, Texas Indigos D.c.erebennus are much more likely to bite defensively as are most Cribos D.corais ssp., especially Yellowtails D.c.corais.

That definitely does not mean that if you go to Florida or South Georgia and find a wild Eastern Indigo you should try to catch it. They are vigorously protected by State and Federal laws and catching, killing or harrassing them in any way can net stiff penalties.

Eastern indigos don't usually do anything but puff up a little and sometimes musk on you when collected. They almost never bite in self defense.

That's one of the reasons that collecting for the pet trade took a big toll on them before they were protected.

That said...many of Corwin's shows...although I enjoy them and he's pretty factual, are staged. That was probably a captive raised indigo.

As oldherper said...they are protected big time...and collection and harrasment of wild indigos is strictly prohibited except with permits for scientific research.

Yep I knew they are under Federal protection. The show was taped in Florida, so Im assuming it was an Eastern Indigo. Nice healthy looking animal, maybe 3' or 4' long and didnt try to bite or anything.

>>Eastern Indigos Drymarchon corais couperi are not particularly defensive, aggressive or "bitey", even freshly caught wild ones as a general rule. That does not mean they won't bite you, some will, some won't. In my experience, Texas Indigos D.c.erebennus are much more likely to bite defensively as are most Cribos D.corais ssp., especially Yellowtails D.c.corais.
>>
>>That definitely does not mean that if you go to Florida or South Georgia and find a wild Eastern Indigo you should try to catch it. They are vigorously protected by State and Federal laws and catching, killing or harrassing them in any way can net stiff penalties.
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1.0 Corn snake
1.0 Black rat snake
1.0 Albino Black rat snake
1.0 Everglades rat snake
0.1 Yellow rat snake
1.1 California king snake
1.0 Prairie king snake
0.1 Black king snake

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian