Federally threatened. Among the longest US snakes.

Also called: Indigo, Eastern Indigo

Native status: Native; federally threatened

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 1.5–2.5 m (5–8.5 ft); largest documented 2.8 m
Weight2.3–5 kg (5–11 lb)
LifespanWild 10+ years; captive 25+
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae

§ Encyclopedia

Drymarchon is a genus of large, nonvenomous, colubrid snakes, commonly known as indigo snakes or cribos, found in the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Source: Wikipedia — Drymarchon Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive glossy blue-black snake with iridescent purple sheen; orange-red throat and chin. Smooth scales.

Similar species. Black Racer (much smaller, dull). Eastern Coachwhip (different pattern, smaller). No other US snake is this large and uniformly blue-black.

Voice. Hisses defensively but rarely aggressive.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Other snakes (including venomous pit vipers — immune to their venom), frogs, lizards, small mammals, turtles, eggs. One of the few US snakes that regularly eats other snakes.

Behavior. Largest native US snake. Federally threatened. Inhabits longleaf pine sandhills; depends on gopher tortoise burrows for shelter and overwintering. Diurnal and active even on cold winter days. Non-venomous; kills prey by overpowering. Population reintroductions ongoing in Alabama and Florida.

§ Range

Southeastern US

§ Habitat

Sandhills, pine flatwoods

§ Threats

Habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the indigo snake (eastern) is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support southeastern pine habitat conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Eastern Indigo Recovery
  • The Orianne Society
  • Central Florida Zoo Conservation
  • IUCN Red List 2007