Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are texas indigos the same as the eastern indigo? if so do you need a permit to keep one? if you dont need a permit where could you buy one at?
thadd

Texas Indigos and Eastern Indigos are not the same although very closely related. They are two different subspecies of the same species. Texas Indigos Drymarchon corais erebennus are found in southern Texas and adjacent parts of Mexico. Eastern Indigos Drymarchon corais couperi are found in Florida, southern Georgia and possibly in isolated parts of southern Alabama. They probably formerly ranged across the southeastern coastal plain from southern South Carolina to Mississipi.

Whether or not you need a permit depends upon the state you live in. To purchase an Eastern Indigo across state lines requires a federal permit regardless of the state you live in because it is a federally protected animal. Florida and Georgia are difficult to obtain permits in for Eastern Indigos because the snake is native to those states, and in Texas is it difficult to obtain permits for Texas Indigo snakes. I have recently heard that Texas does not allow the keeping of any Drymarchon, but I have not seen that documented anywhere.

there was some discussion on that topic then, it may help answer some questions.........

best of luck

Dean