Eastern indigo snake

The eastern indigo snake has uniform blue-black dorsal scales, with some specimens having a reddish-orange to tan color on the throat, cheeks, and chin.

This snake received its common name from the glossy iridescent dorsal and ventral scales which can be seen as blackish-purple in bright light.

[11] The eastern indigo snake inhabits areas from far southwestern South Carolina through Florida, and west to southern Alabama and southeastern Mississippi.

[19] This fungus infects the dermal layer of snake skin, causing a variety of lesions that commonly manifest on the head and near the vent.

[19] The eastern indigo snake frequents flatwoods, hammocks, dry glades, stream bottoms, cane fields, riparian thickets, and high ground with well-drained, sandy soils.

[13] In Georgia, the eastern indigo snake prefers excessively drained, deep sandy soils along major streams, as well as xeric sandridge habitats.

[24] In a study in Georgia, winter sightings generally occurred on sandhills, in association with gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows.

[20] Because the cover requirements of eastern indigo snakes change seasonally, maintaining corridors that link the different habitats used is important.

[24] In winter, indigo snakes den in gopher tortoise burrows, which are usually found in open pine forests with dense herbaceous understories.

[23] These piles are often destroyed for cosmetic reasons but should be left intact because they provide important hiding cover for both the snake and its prey.

[27] Captive specimens are frequently fed dead items to prevent injury to the snake from this violent method of subduing its prey.

The eastern indigo snake also eats turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, fish, a variety of small birds and mammals, and eggs.

Highway fatalities, wanton killings, and overcollection for the pet trade adversely affect indigo snake populations.

Female eastern indigo snakes have the ability to retain live sperm for long periods, potentially over 4 years.

[35] Due to its generally docile nature and appearance, some people find the eastern indigo snake to be a desirable pet, although its protected status can make owning one, depending on location, illegal without a permit.

One notable owner of a pet eastern indigo snake was gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson during the time he wrote his Hell's Angels book.

The snake was subsequently beaten to death by the night watchman, which still caused Thompson great anguish several years later, and was his justification for sending his - often excessive - room service bills to Random House.

Eastern indigo