Eastern indigo snake on the prowl - video

**Rich Z** · 01-20-2008, 02:10 PM

Found this girl prowling around on the grounds of the Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida...

RevXtreme 1 · 01-20-2008, 07:56 PM

They are beautiful...and that one is LARGE!.

**Rich Z** · 01-20-2008, 08:42 PM

The eastern indigo snake is federally protected throughout it's range. They are VERY impressive animals. They have been known to get up past 7 foot in length, with rumors of even larger ones found on Cape Sabal.

They will kill and eat venomous snakes, so a lot of people in the know encourage them hanging around the homestead.

I have picked them up in the wild and NEVER had one attempt to bite me. VERY cool animals.

I used to breed them when I lived in Maryland. They are VERY intelligent and personable for snakes, and I hated to have to get rid of them. But when I moved to Florida, Fish and Game told me to make certain I did not have them in my possession when I crossed the line into Florida.

I believe this one in the video is about 5 foot long. It is rather rare to find them any longer, as they tend to prefer habitat that is also in big demand by developers. Of course, in such a conflict, the wildlife will lose every time.

navy2kcoupe · 01-20-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Z

Found this girl prowling around on the grounds of the Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida...

Rich, as someone who knows zilch about snakes, I wouldn't be able to tell a girl from a boy

! How do you know that this is a "girl"?
Andy Anderson

**Rich Z** · 01-21-2008, 01:03 AM

Well, it's kind of like human beings in some respects. The shape of the tail is different between males and females.

Of course, I've been doing this for one heck of a long time, and can tell pretty much at a glance which is which.

VertC5 · 01-24-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Z

Well, it's kind of like human beings in some respects. The shape of the tail is different between males and females.

Of course, I've been doing this for one heck of a long time, and can tell pretty much at a glance which is which.

Used to be that way for people too. Walking around the malls I sometimes have to wonder.

**Rich Z** · 01-24-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VertC5

Used to be that way for people too. Walking around the malls I sometimes have to wonder.

Yeah, I'm glad I'm not single. I'll bet dating is a REAL challenge these days.

TxMomma · 01-26-2008, 10:41 AM

Simply Beautiful!

2Vettes · 01-21-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navy2kcoupe

Rich, as someone who knows zilch about snakes, I wouldn't be able to tell a girl from a boy

! How do you know that this is a "girl"?
Andy Anderson

Thanks for asking. I had the same question. I wondered if you had to turn her over to tell

Guess not ...

Kap142 · 01-21-2008, 08:57 PM

Years ago I remember responding to an alarm at an older manson type residence in Bartow. Out back lying comfortably along a ledge towards the sun was a beautiful Indigo. I picked him up and he was totally docile (I knew what Indigio's were and had longed to have one but I knew the law). This docile beauty was every bit of 5 feet long and the most beautiful blue black you can imagine. I imagine he still lives out back of this dwelling and I hope so.