Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

Does anyone know how to distinguish between an eatern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) and a Mexican black kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula nigrita)? Care tips and difference would be helpful for both species. Thanks!

Scale size is one way. Drymarchon has proportionately larger scales than any other North American colubrid. If you have other snakes of the same length, compare.

Most, but not all couperi have at least some red on the cheeks & throat. Look closely at the snake. The Lampropeltis may have faint remnants of a pattern. The couperi will not, unless it is extremely young. If this is a very young snake, & it is jet black, it is not a couperi. They are generally patterned heavily with white flecks, which fade to blue-black within the first year.

Offer the snake a prey item. If it constricts with a complete wrap or two, it is not Drymarchon.

If possible, e-mail me or post up a clear close-up picture which includes the head.

~~Greg~~

check www.indigosnakes.com for lots of photos, caresheets, articles, etc about indigos.

You may want to do a search on the photo gallery here for pics of Mex black kings.

Generally, indigos are heavier, have much larger scales, and larger heads and eyes in comparision to a king of the same size.

You could do scale counts if you were really uncertain, but I could certainly tell from a pic.

Indigos are as a rule higher maintenence. They are more active and require larger cages and much more food.

Not to mention that the a large king would be 5', and a large indigo would be 7-8' and up to 10 lbs!