Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading here for some time and searching the web for information and pictures of the Indigo. However, what I can't find is personal testimonies of why the Indigo is held in such high esteem by it's keepers. I currently have Brooksi Kingsnakes and my largest is 6ft and 10yrs old. He is a baby-doll for sure. How would an Indigo compare with the docile attitude of the Kingsnake? I certainly love the appearance of the Indigo with it's large girth and beautiful dark body. I am fascinated with the pic online with the young woman holding the hugh wild-caught Indigo without any indication of fear on her face. I have read that the Indigo seems to interact with his keeper how does he do that? What other attributes does the Indigo have that is not seen in other species. Sorry about the length of this post. I'd appreciate any info and/or links to continue in my search for information. Thanks.

There is no such thing as a perfect pet. My dog, retrieved ten years ago from the dog pound, is the best dog that I have ever had. He's not perfection, but I wouldn't trade him for anything. Don't even ask; he's MINE.

What you need, in terms of a pet, is highly personal. We have 10 snakes. I don’t consider any of them to be pets. My dog is a pet, my cat is a pet. My dog would lay his life down for me. My cat would try to help me, if his cheerio brain understood hat was at stake (his food). There is no relationship with any of the snakes.

Eight of them belong to the Drymarchon genus. I don't think of any of them in terms of being a pet. Some of them would definitely qualify as "lap snakes. “ Two of them (the Drys) are pretty much guaranteed to bite you.

Some species are more more docile (overall) than others. But, as my Spousal Unit is fond of saying, “there ain’t no love in an eye that don’t blink.”

He just corrected me – he says – “there is neither love nor loyalty” to you among reptile pets.

That said – you can be thrilled infinitely as a reptile keeper. The Drys, IMHO are the cream of the crop.

B

All opinions expressed are mine. If they belonged to someone else, I wouldn’t be telling you about them.

And the spousal unit adds his 2 cents.

The good Dr. Wooster calls these animals "Honorary Cobras".

In my limited experience, these animals are the most fascinating you might find in the reptile world. You have to make the concession that while constriction is impressive, brute force is even more so.

We also have Kings in our collection. As well as Pits. None of them IMHO, are as worthy as the Dry's.

There are those here that will more eloquently present this position but the bottom line remains the same.

Regards,
Jeff Nichols

Sorry it's "U" with an umlaut. NOT "oo". That's just how it sounds phonetically.

My most humble apologies sir...

Regards,
Jeff Nichols

They're one of the best because of their size, strength, and physical presence. They act alert when looking for food but I've not been convinced they're any more intelligent than other reptiles. Hatchling Easterns and Texas generally feed well and are a joy to observe as they grow during the first year. Because they can't be ignored as far as husbandry (cleaning cages frequently) I believe the ownership idea goes both ways. For me Okeetee corns, Northern pines, and black pines are equally impressive and best to keep Colubrids.

I keep Brooksi & Goni, I think they are great animals, but my Drymarchon are much more alert, they seem to know what I'm doing even if they are in their hide boxes. There are times when I've gotten lax (quite a few really) and taken a cover off a cage and gone to clean a water bowl, not a problem with my kings, even if active I get back before they go anywhere, but twice Drymarchon who hardly ever stick their heads out of their hide boxes have made it over the wall (these were years apart, I learn but it has to be reinforced once in a while). I got both snakes back though the first one managed to hide out for three weeks behind some books in a book case at the head of my bed (too small a place for a good sized snake to hide for me to check) while I periodically tore my room apart, that snake knew my every move. Big Drymarchon are spectacular animals & if any snakes have personalities its them.

>>They're one of the best because of their size, strength, and physical presence. They act alert when looking for food but I've not been convinced they're any more intelligent than other reptiles. Hatchling Easterns and Texas generally feed well and are a joy to observe as they grow during the first year. Because they can't be ignored as far as husbandry (cleaning cages frequently) I believe the ownership idea goes both ways. For me Okeetee corns, Northern pines, and black pines are equally impressive and best to keep Colubrids.

I can attest to the cage-cleaning part...I just finished cleaning 16 Drymarchon cages for the 3rd time this week. They ARE messy, but they are worth it. Actually, my Pits are almost as messy as my Drys.....almost.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, heres my two bitts. I think they are the best snakes to have in my life, period. They are the absolute coolest snakes of all. It's kinda like someone saying, "why is a Harley the best bike?" and the reply, " once youve been on one you will understand."

Indies are simply magnificent animals to watch, care for, and get to know. They are very unique in the snake world as well. There is nothing quite like the feel and the look of a full grown male, who seems to recognize you and wants to be a part of whatever you are doing in the snake room at the moment.
Not to mention,...black is my favorite color.

And their attitude is not one of nastyness, or shcitzofrenia. They are very trust worthy, and mine would be fine around kids. Of all the snakes I have ever worked with, I think these are among the least likely to bite me. They are as a rule, very mellow, and easy going, once they are adults.

And last but certainly not least, they are a wonderful part of our national, and natural herritage. And their natural habitats are under constant pressure by man,... who wants to build, and burn, and drive, and kill as many of them as he can, and they make such an easy target. So it is distinctly possible, that some day, given mans relentless population growth, that the only place your grandkids or great grandkids will be able to see one is in a private, captive collection,...like yours. Don't think about it any more. Just do it. Get a pair. Nuff said?
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

I'm planning on getting an Eastern Indigo once clutches startup again, but I am only looking to get one at the moment. If I possibly get a second one down the road I suspect it would be best to make the first one whichever gender sexually matures the slowest so it has a head start. Or do they mature at the same rate, making it a moot point?

Also, does one gender tend towards any different personality traits over the other?
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0 of 3 goals complete, but all in good time.

- Eastern Indigo
- Redtail Hawk
- Neopolitan Mastiff

I'm in a similar boat as you. I just have one female indigo (in fact, that is the only animal I own at the moment). Though I may decide to get a male down the line.

As far as maturity...I'm not sure. Though it does seem to me that it is more crucial to have a big, healthy female, to avoid problems with laying eggs.

As for personality, there isn't a gender difference as far as I know of (though individuals can vary). Males get bigger.
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One female Eastern Indigo. That's right, just one snake. But she's my dream-snake, so back off man.