![]() ![]() Historically, Drymarchon corais was considered a monotypic species with 8 to 12 subspecies including D. Couper who brought him the first specimen from south of the Altamaha River in Wayne County, Georgia. The taxon was described by James Edward Holbrook in 1842 and named in honor of J. Hatchling Eastern Indigos may be may possess a faint pattern of cream speckling, forming indistinct lateral bands. Adult males have partial keels on the scales along the middle of the back. The common name for Eastern Indigo Snakes relates to the large, smooth scales of this species which appear iridescent purple in sunlight. The orange-red pigment is more prominent in male Eastern Indigos and may extend onto the belly of some south Florida snakes. There is variation in this trait, with some populations in northern Florida having black lip scales, a white patch in the center of the throat and lacking orange-red. A wash of orange-red is often present on the chin, sides of the head and throat. (4 to 6 lbs.).Įastern Indigo Snakes are a uniform bluish or gunmetal black, both dorsally and ventrally. to 7 ft., 6 in.) and weigh 3.2 to 4.5 kilograms (7 to 10 pounds), while large females seldom exceed 2.0 m. The species is fairly stout-bodied and sexually dimorphic in size, with males attaining greater lengths than females. (7 ft., 10 in.) or longer have been from southern Florida. Most records of wild specimens measuring 2.4 m. It prefers flatwoods, stream bottoms, cane fields, high ground with sandy soils and riparian areas with shrubs, scrub, grasses, and small trees.Eastern Indigo Snakes are one of the largest snakes in North America, reaching a maximum total length of 2.6 meters (8 feet, 7 inches). It can be recognised by its blue-black dorsal and lateral scales, some have red, orange or tan colours around the chin and throat. ![]() It’s considered the longest snake in the US, growing up to 2.8m (9.2 ft) in length. The carnivorous Eastern indigo snake species is native to the southeastern United States and is non-venomous. “It is an excellent indicator that the snakes that we have released, which were born into captivity, have been able to adapt to the wild, are functioning as wild snakes, and are reproducing,” Jim Godwin, an animal biologist with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program told CNN. The recent sighting shows the snake re-introduction has worked. Wiping out an “apex predator” has a domino effect on other species, according to wildlife experts.Ĭonservationists bought the species from Georgia and reintroduced it to the area in 2006. Habitat loss was one of the main reasons for the Eastern indigo snake’s decline in the middle of the 20th century, but the snake species plays a big part in the natural ecosystem. “The snake found yesterday indicates the project is resulting in some thriving and reproducing indigos, just what we wanted!” “Reintroducing a species to its native range is a daunting task, and we celebrate each step of its success,” said Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division on Facebook, after the discovery. The news comes after a successful conservation programme to reintroduce the native reptiles to the state, as the species went extinct here in the 1950s. Eastern indigo snake (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Īn Eastern indigo snake has been spotted in Alabama for the second time in 60 years.
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