Drymarchon melanurus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Drymarchon melanurus

Common Name. Central American Indigo Snake

General information. Often active in the mornings, indigo snakes are voracious foragers that actively search for anything small enough to swallow, including other large snakes (including rattlesnakes) and birds. In fact, one indigo snake was found to have recently eaten three mice, two small snapping turtles, and two toads. When captured, indigos may bite repeatedly and release foul smelling musk and feces to instigate their release. Indigos may also hiss, vibrate their tail, and flatten their necks vertically to appear “dangerous”.

Protected status. The Central American Indigo Snake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Dorsal scales are smooth (though large adult males may have a couple of keeled rows) and in 17 rows near midbody Anal plate is undivided

Coloration. Central American Indigo Snakes are easily identified by their thick, shiny black bodies Their dorsal surface color is translucent black or blue-black, from which their common name of “indigo” comes Belly scales are also blue-gray The head and chin often are reddish or orange brown, with the head also having at times prominent dark lines radiating downward from the eye.

General distribution. Central American Indigo Snakes are found from the southern U.S., through Central America, and in southern South America. Drymarchon melanurus is found from Texas south through Central America to Venezuela. Another species of indigo snake, Drymarchon couperi, is found in Florida and in adjacent Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The third indigo snake species, Drymarchon corais is found only in South America.

Texas distribution. Drymarchon m. erebennus is found throughout much of the southern third of Texas, found as far north as San Antonio and Del Rio.

Habitat. Central American Indigo Snake are restricted to the riparian areas found in the remaining areas of mesquite savanna and thorn brush woodland left in south Texas. They can be found lying along canal banks or coiled in the lower branches of trees overhanging ponds or streams.

Reproduction. Mating takes place in the winter with eggs laid in the spring. Up to 12 eggs are deposited and the young hatchlings appear about 80 days later, measuring up to 66 cm (26 in) long and possessing more red coloration towards their heads than do the adults.

Size. Central American Indigo Snakes are typically between (3-8 ft) although they have found measuring over (100 in) and weighing around (5-6 lbs) in weight.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Indigo Snakes | Herps of Texas

Drymarchon melanurus