Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all I'm a central Fl resident and was wondering if anyone knew any areas where I could photograph wild indigos. I've knocked quite a few of our native species and even a few ferrals but eastern diamonbacks and indigos are hard to find. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I really wouldn't expect you to get too many hits on this. The problem is that:

1. We don't know who you are. Not trying to be rude or anything like that, but you have to understand that Indigos are in trouble in the wild and are subject to poaching by unscrupulous people. Nobody that cares about the animals is going to just tell someone where to find them until they are sure of motives.

2. Nobody is likely to post that information in a forum like this where just anybody and everybody can find it. The ecosystem that supports Indigos is fragile. If 100 people read where to find wild Indigos, then go trampling around in the habitat trying to find them they will do some damage. We tend to be a little protective of these animals and their habitats....

That said, there are plenty of places in Florida where there are Indigos, including some State and Federal parks. Do a little internet research and you might find a starting point.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have to agree, I've seen posts here in the past that mentioned places were Indigos were seen & its bothered me, while I would trust most people on this forum, the posts are open to anybody who surfs the site & though we are not game wardens here, with Indigos being so valued & disappearing from the wild, I think we have a responsibility not to facilitate any further losses.

I understand. IF anyone would be courteous enough to accompany me to a place it would be greatly appreciated. It's hard to find other herp lovers in my area. I have tried several federal parks and preserves, for example, Tibet Butler Preserve, Lake Louisa State Park, and many others. If there is anyone else that enjoys herping let me know, I would drive or pay for gas, whichevher your preference is. Matter of fact, it doesn't even have to be for indigos. Thankyou for your help and I admire the dedication all of you have to the preservation of such a beautiful specie.

For starters you might want to try Ding Darling on Sanibell Island off Ft. Myers OR Mayakka State Park in the Sarasota area OR the wilderness area around Kennedy Space centre.........

best of luck if you find any let us know

Dean

Thankyou for the help Dean. I'm not sure if I will try my luck until the spring, nothing is more discouraging than driving long distances only to find nothing.

some Florida locals & these guys know the diff between an Indigo & a black racer. Best I ever got yet was a piece of shed skin in a guys garage in Venice. Apparently he has a 7 footer living under a pine tree in his front yard, dissapears every year this time & returns by January so I suspect it's a male.

Last trip I'd heard there been a few recent sightings out at the Ding Darling reserve on Sanibel Island where I guess after the hurricanes there were a few homeless indigos. Be sure & get lotsa pics & report back if you have any luck. I know I drove all the way from Canada & didn't see any, only 1's I've seen are the 6 I have downstairs. Gonna try breeding a couple this week.

best of luck

Dean

I have several leads of indigo's in an area not too far from where I live. Many of the people I have talked to say there is an indigo on their property they see it at least weekly. Next weekend I have 3 farmers that have agreed to let me herp their property. It's amazing how co-operative people can be if you tell them you would remove anything venemous.