Nota bene: A binomial authority or a trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Drymarchon. Indigo snakes are diurnal and actively forage for prey. While missing from Alabama since the 1950s, the indigo snake is still hanging on in Florida and south Georgia. This young eastern indigo snake, found in the Conecuh National Forest in south Alabama in January 2020, is the first native indigo snake captured in Alabama since the 1950s. Over decades, the combination of habitat loss, collection for the pet trade and “gassing” in rattlesnake rodeos put the species on the brink of extinction. “The snake was a part of Alabama,” Godwin said. The eastern indigo snake is a large, black, non-venomous snake found in the southeastern United States. The indigo earned a listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Now, for the first time in seven decades, the eastern indigo is reproducing on its own in Alabama. In the United States its colour is blue-black; southward it may have brown foreparts, and in the tropics members of the genus often are called brown snakes. Duméril, 1854). And as the importance of the longleaf pine ecosystem has really come out in the last couple of decades, we’ve been missing pieces of that, restoring that ecosystem.”. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Unlike many snakes, mature … Corrections? Unusual food items, in comparison to that of other snakes, include small tortoises and all venomous The indigo snake is thought to be the main predator of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and data has shown the rattlesnake to be a preferred food item. Indigo snakes are known to feed mainly upon other snakes, turtles, mammals, frogs, birds, and lizards. Godwin said the efforts to reintroduce the snake are in their 14th year, with more than 160 snakes released into the wild since 2010. This snake genus, Drymarchon, means "Lord of The Forest". Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This smooth-scaled snake is considered to be the longest native snake species in the United States. Godwin said the snakes will take shelter in the burrows on cold days, and roam about looking to reproduce on warm, sunny days during the winter. Indigo snakes are closely associated with gopher tortoise burrows in Alabama, especially in the winter. This snake received its common name from the glossy iridescentventral scales which can be seen as blackish-purple in bright light. The eastern indigo snake is the longest snake native to North America, reaching lengths of up to nine feet, though more typically maxing out at around seven feet long. CLASSIFICATION: Currently the genus includes six distinct species recognized by ITIS:[4] One of the species has several subspecies which are recognized as being valid. Updates? Since 1978 it has been listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species within the United States. “Snakes are limbless, small-boned, little bags of meat,” says Drabeck. It may share a burrow with a gopher tortoise (Gopherus) and is often called gopher snake. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Reaching lengths of almost 9 feet, it is the longest native snake in the United States. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. They are not aggressive snakes and will only bite when threatened. The remaining longleaf forests are mostly in isolated clusters like Conecuh National Forest. “Not well known, but a part of Alabama and southern Alabama. Typical threat display includes hissing and shaking of its tail as a warning. They feed on a broad variety of small animals such as rodents, birds, lizards, frogs, toads, and other snakes, including rattlesnakes. “It’s very exciting for us to find this young snake that confirms one measure of success that we’ve been after all along.”. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. It kills small vertebrate animals, including venomous snakes, by crushing with its jaws and the weight of its coils but is not a constrictor. A collection of government agencies and universities have been trying to reintroduce the indigo snake for years in the Conecuh National Forest in south Alabama, and a young, 27-inch snake captured last week appears to be the offspring of the reintroduced apex predator. It is not venomous, and literally eats copperheads and rattlesnakes for breakfast. The genus Drymarchon was formerly considered to be a monotypic taxon formed by subspecies of D. corais. The Best Place to see an Eastern Indigo Snake Is the Everglades Indigo snakes are large, robust snakes which can reach a total length (including tail) of over 3 m (9.8 ft). Indigo snake, (Drymarchon corais), docile, nonvenomous member of the family Colubridae found from the southeastern United States to Brazil.

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