I have an opportunity to get a CB hatchling indigo snake in a few weeks. Does or has anyone ever kept this species? Any experiences? Any information would be great! I have minimal experience with snakes. Thanks to all.
INDIGO SNAKE
- Thread starter ALDABRAMAN
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EricIvins said:
All worked out!
The main thing I know about them besides how cool they are, is that they are poop machines. I have never talked to anyone that keeps them who didn't mention that within the first 30 seconds of talking about them.
I've worked a little bit with these guys. They grow extremely fast, but make sure they have a lot of room to roam. CB wont be as active as a WC, but at least a 12x3ft for an adult...as some specimens can reach 10-12ft especially if it orignated from Houston area. They love eating other snakes....gophers.....so rats are pretty good. Just make sure plenty of room to move because they will easily stress out.
ALDABRAMAN said:
I know you say you don't have much experience with snakes, but these guys have pretty typical snake heating/dietary requirements. This is made easier by your location, since these guys would thrive outdoors there. (If not for the factors that have resulted in their Federal status... so be sure to check to see what, if any, permit(s) you might need.) I hesitate to give specific care advice, but wanted to chime in because I think these guys are a really fascinating species. You don't see CB Indigos that often, so I'd say jump on it if you're interested.
My only personal experience is with the Texas subspecies which I've seen a few times in the wild and caught one which I kept as a teenager for a short time before releasing him. (Disclaimer: I do not suggest keeping WC Indigos.)
Fun Fact: I looked up the Eastern subspecies on Wikipedia and found this little tidbit:
"It often will cohabit with gopher tortoises in their underground burrows, although it will settle for armadillo holes, hollow logs, and debris piles when gopher tortoise burrows can't be found. Hunters, hoping to flush out rattlesnakes, often wind up accidentally killing indigo snakes when they illegally pour gasoline into the burrows of gopher tortoises (a practice referred to as "gassing"), even though the tortoises themselves are endangered and protected."
I guess they're fans of tortoises, too.
JeffG said:
The breeder, and most i have spoken to say the same thing, they are messy eaters and poppers! They eat and thrash the food all around making the entire area bloody and when they poop, it resembles a hippo pooping! The new borns are feeding on pinkies at this point.
AustinASU said:
The breeders cages were about that size, thank you.
AustinASU said:
You can probably keep a CB in a smaller enclosure, in my opinion. Like many snakes, these guys don't require a ton of space for their size. (Kind of the opposite for tortoises.) That said, if you do provide them a ton of space, be sure to give them secure hiding places. I've found the most important thing with most snakes is to ensure they have the proper temperature gradients w/ each zone being large enough to fit their entire body. If you can satisfy that, you'll have a happy snake.
ra94131 said:
Thank you, kinda excited!
I was gunna say about 50% min humidity, but that wont be a problem in florida lucky duck
One of my favorite species. Every year I keep resisting the urge, and every year I keep getting them offered. I've kept the Texas subsp., but never the Eastern. I have friends who have them and I just fawn all over theirs whenever I get the chance. They are great snakes Greg. You will love it. Very inquisitive and interactive. They just seem "smart". I too have heard about how messy they are, but found them no worse than any other reptile. My Texas indigo did poop more often than a similarly sized python, but it really wasn't all that bad. Not nearly as bad a s a tegu or monitor.
What I've been told about temps: They can not take heat. 80-85 is all you need during summer and down to 65-70 in winter. Many people try to keep them too hot. I questioned this since they come from Florida, and I was told they they retreat underground when the temps climb. This info is from the guy who has the largest collection of them in the world. He breeds a ton of them every year. He is out this way near me...
What I've been told about temps: They can not take heat. 80-85 is all you need during summer and down to 65-70 in winter. Many people try to keep them too hot. I questioned this since they come from Florida, and I was told they they retreat underground when the temps climb. This info is from the guy who has the largest collection of them in the world. He breeds a ton of them every year. He is out this way near me...
All I gotta say is: POST SOME PICS when you get the little guy!
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