Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive never owned an indigo but have always wanted to, they have been my favorite snake since I first got into reptiles. I read from this forum almost everyday and drool over some of the pics I see but this is the first time ive ever posted a message. I was just wanting to get everyones opinion on which species are the best to start out with? my favorite by a long shot is the Eastern, but ide like to know as much as possible about them before getting one.Are their tempermants and breeding habits similar to the cribos? Should I get a cribo first to get a feel for them, or are they as differant as apples and oranges? I have lots of experience with north american snakes, mainly rats kings milks and other colubrids, so now I think its time to see how succesfull I can be with the king of all north american snakes.
Also any advice as to where to find some excellent indigo literature would be much appreciated.

Thanx in advance
WES

That's a tough question to answer. They are all pretty much the same, but they are all different.

I don't really see a reason to start with a Cribo, and "graduate" to couperi. If you want an Eastern, then find one, take care of the necessary permits and start right there. You already have basic husbandry experience with other colubrids. Indigos are a little different in that:

1. They don't like it quite as warm as most other colubrids

2. They need a lot of cage floor space

3. They eat a LOT

4. All that food they eat apparently gains mass before it comes out, and it often comes out in a high-velocity spray with which they will paint the inside of their cage, especially if you feed them fish. (can you tell I just got finished cleaning cages?)

5. Indigos are actually WORTH the trouble.

If you are looking for a good, detailed book dealing with Drymarchon natural history, husbandry, breeding, medicine, biology, etc., forget it. I don't think one exists. I've searched and can't really find anything. I can't even find a good specific reference for anatomy and physiology of Drymarchon. You just sort of have to take the bits and pieces you find here and there and collate them yourself...and there still won't be a whole lot. I have one book called something like "Indigos, Racers and Whipsnakes" or something along tjose lines...not a great book, but it's about the best I've been able to find.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

n/p
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

I was going to write a book several years ago with another Drymarchon expert that lives in Florida, but it never got off the drawing board. The simple truth is that is is a lot of work with a small financial return.
As passionate as we all are about Drymarchons, we are a very small sized group. I spoke with a publisher about it and was told that even the big sellers like the books on Iguanas that sell hundreds of thousands, don't make much money.
That is the simple truth of it, the return on investment is not good enough.
So in the meantime, read all the articles you can. Get involved in forums like this and ask questions but also be willing to give information if you have it.
Several years ago Dean wrote a great article for Reptile magazine. I could see no errors in any of his data, start there.
Hope this helps.
Chuck

I just reread my last post and realized I didn't sound to enthusiastic about Dean's article. I was really impressed with his work and I highly reccommend it.
Chuck

Go with the animal YOU are most interested in. All things being equal, I personally like eastern indigos by a landslide but that is only MY personal taste (I have been working with and breeding them for close to 10 years). Their temperments are extraordinarily docile (except feeding time) and their captive requirements are very easy to provide AS LONG AS you provide the proper space, temps, and diligence to hygiene. Go to www.indigosnakes.cocm for a bunch of info that you will enjoy.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

I've only kept Texas and Easterns. My female Texas indigo was my favorite to handle and show others. She was also a bit easier to care for, but a no-go with breeding.

2 cents

Doug T

Thanx for all the responses, looks like now ill be playing the waiting game!!

Wes
I have had the privilage of breeding just about all of the subspecies of Drymarchon. I remember telling folks 15 years ago that I thought the Blacktail cribos were the best deal going. They typically have great temperments. They breed as easy as any of the Drymarchons and they are or at least were the least expensive of them all.
Good luck.
Chuck

Sage advice, which still holds true today..

Jeff

I have decided to go ahead and get a couple blacktails to hold me over while im waiting for a permit. Anyone know where to get some cb ones? all I ever usually see is wild caught.

/

I don't remember the guys name but, someone on another forum had a female that laid an obscene number of bt eggs this past year. I think it was something like 27!!!
Do any of you remember who that was?

Eric

>>I don't remember the guys name but, someone on another forum had a female that laid an obscene number of bt eggs this past year. I think it was something like 27!!!
>>Do any of you remember who that was?
>>
>>Eric

Yeah, that was gila7150.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson