Historically, the eastern indigo snake lived throughout Florida, the coastal plain of southern Georgia, extreme south Alabama, and extreme southeast Mississippi. “I’m not embarrassed to say that I was shaking when I … Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries’ Traci Wood and Jim Godwin of Auburn University’s Alabama Natural Heritage Program show off the young eastern indigo. Considered an apex predator, the snake plays an important role in the longleaf pine ecosystem. Eastern indigo snakes are the longest snakes native to the U.S. at more than 8 feet long. The eastern indigo snake, a non-venomous, federally protected species native to the Southeastern longleaf pine region, hasn’t been seen in Alabama since the 1950s. The snake is approximately seven months old and is a product of Alabama’s Eastern …

Wood, the Habitat and Species Conservation Coordinator with the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, had in her hands the first wild Eastern indigo snake documented in Alabama in more than 60 years. The beneficial species is the longest snake native to the United States and preys on venomous snakes, including the copperhead. The Eastern indigo snakes that have been released in Alabama were raised in captivity by agencies such as Zoo Atlanta and Central Florida Zoo’s Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation.
Since a captive breeding and release program for the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) was launched in Alabama in 2010, wild specimens haven’t been seen in the wild. This imperiled Alabama snake eats rattlesnakes, copperheads for breakfast Updated Nov 22, 2019; Posted Oct 30, 2019 The eastern indigo snake is a large, stout bodied, non-venomous snake … The greatest threats to the snake are loss of habitat, the practice of putting gas down a burrow by rattlesnake hunters, and the pet trade. The U.S. state of Alabama is home to 93 indigenous reptile species, not including subspecies.Indigenous species include one species of crocodilian, 12 lizard species, 49 snake species, and 31 turtle species. The Eastern indigo snake has not been seen in the wild in Alabama since the 1950s. The eastern indigo snake is classified federally as threatened and is protected. It was the first time since 1954 that biologists found proof that the snake was breeding. The first wild Eastern indigo snake found in Alabama in more than 60 years was documented in the Conecuh National Forest recently. Eastern Indigo Snake Reserve In the 1980s, the Alabama Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at Auburn University attempted to reintroduce the indigo snake, with releases in Autauga, Baldwin, Bullock, Covington, Escambia, Mobile and Washington Counties. Considered an apex predator, the snake plays an important role in the longleaf pine ecosystem. Traci Wood admitted holding the snake almost made her come unglued. First Wild Eastern Indigo Snake Found in Alabama in 60 Years The first evidence of reproduction of the Eastern indigo snake in the wild in Alabama was recently discovered in Conecuh National Forest. Auburn University’s James Godwin holds an Eastern indigo snake, which is the longest native snake in North America, reaching as much as 8.5 feet long and 11 pounds. The Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced on Friday that biologists recently discovered in the Conecuh National Forest a baby Eastern Indigo Snake. First wild Eastern indigo snake found in Alabama in 60 years Traci Wood admitted holding the snake almost made her come unglued. A seven-month-old baby eastern indigo snake was found in the Conecuh National Forest of Escambia County, Alabama. The region includes Florida, southeast Georgia, south Alabama and southwest Mississippi. Wood said Eastern indigos were extirpated from the state and hadn’t been seen since the 1950s. Some of these snakes … A juvenile Eastern indigo snake was recently discovered in Conecuh National Forest, which is the first evidence of reproduction in Alabama in more than 60 years. Wild Eastern indigo snake found in Alabama after 6-decade absence By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Photo: A juvenile Eastern indigo snake was recently discovered in Conecuh National Forest, which is the first evidence of … The species almost died out completely due to habitat loss, hunting, gassing and collecting them as pets, however, this proves they’re making a come back. No, she wasn’t afraid of the snake she was holding. It was the magnitude of the moment.

Indigo snakes are opportunistic feeders that eat small mammals, birds, …
Eastern indigo snakes are the longest snakes native to the U.S. at more than 8 feet long. Until now.