Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was doing some research & field studying in Southern South Carolina and South East Georgia. As some literature stated "The vegetation/weather in Extreme south central SC could be suitable environment for the Indigo provided that Gopher tortoises exist, which according to some writers do (or have in the past). I'm only posting this to see if anyone has any knowledge of an Eastern Indigo being found/observed in the field in S. SC. According to the literature I've read that has never happened. But just on the other side of the river (savannah river) there are still (a few) Indigos today. I'm sure that sometime in the past a few must have surely made it accross the river safely???
Anyone??? Thanks for any input!

Zee

Almost every literature reference from fish and wildlife and otherwise lists the indigo as historically residing in the tip of SC near the Savannah River...but I'm with you, I have not seen a "documented" South Carolina indigo.

It would be interesting to see if there are any museum records there.

Thanks Dean! Just curious - was there ever one found in (extreme eastern) Louisiana that you know off?

Zee

I haven't heard of any LA specimens.
Logic would lead one to believe that at one time indigos must have certainly extended across the entire n. gulf of Mexico region, from TX through LA, S. MS, S., AL and through the Floridan panhandle.

As for how long couperi has been disjunct...well, long enought that it is considered it's on species now...

I'd love to see what a specimen from LA would have looked like. I wonder if they'd look intermediate between erebennus and couperi.

Yes, I agree. It would have been intersting to see what Indigos would have looked like from LA. a long time ago. Maybe there WERE Indigos all the way across the Gulf coast not too long ago (before the last Ice age?).

Zee

I was in that exact location in SC. It looked perfect for indies with owland swamps and upland hill habitat with gopher tort burrows and such. I too would love to know if there has ever been one truly documented there
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Anthony Chodan

www.gradeareptiles.com

Yes, after looking at the area it looks very similar to some Indigo habitats I've seen in Florida. . .

Zee