The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) is the largest nonvenomous snake in North America. Individuals up to 104 inches have been measured. It derives its name from the dark blue iridescence of it large scales. The blue color is most noticeable just after the snake has shed. Adults are uniformly black or bluish black both above and below, with the chin, throat, and lips usually tinged with reddish or orange pigmentation. The young are lighter in color and have a faint banded pattern.
Ten Facts about Eastern Indigo Snake
- Length can be adults 150-180 cm (5-6 ft).
- Variety of warm-blooded vertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
- Attain sexual maturity at 3-4 years.
- Can exceed 15 years, even longer in captivity; record is 25 years.
- Southeastern United States including Florida, Georgia, Florida Keys, extreme southern portions of South Carolina, and Alabama.
- Usually found in dry upland scrub areas.
- They also fall victim to domestic dogs, commercial collecting, gassing of gopher tortoise burrows, chemicals, and killing by uninformed persons.
- Indigos lay from five to twelve white eggs in May or June.
- The young indigos may approach 2 feet long when they hatch.
- The indigo snakes large size and strong jaws enable it to eat its prey live.
