Drymarchon melanurus erebennus - Texas Indigo Snake

DESCRIPTION:

Texas Indigo Snakes range from south Texas to Mexico. They are often found in grasslands, sparsely wooded forests and scrub lands. They are usually found close to water sources such as ponds, and cattle troughs. Indigo Snakes are black to dark blue in color, with an iridescence shine to their scales.

They also have a unique belly pattern. Adult indigo snakes can reach up to eight feet in length, but most of them are around six feet long. This species is an active diurnal species that hunt a large range of prey items. They eat anything from rodents to Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes. Indigo snakes do not constrict their prey, but instead they simply overpower them. Even small Texas Tortoises have been found in their stomachs (Dixon & Werler 2000).

As a defensive response, they will flat out their necks laterally and throw up water. Sometimes, they will attempt to bite, but will usually calm down once they realize that the person holding them means no harm. This species is fairly common South Texas, but because of their size and beauty, they face strong collecting pressures. The state of Texas classifies them as threatened, thus protecting this species from pet trade collectors.

This species are often found as roadkill because of their lifestyle as an active and diurnal snake. The author has once driven up to a road killed individual, half jokingly thinking it was severed truck of an elephant! It did not occur to him that it was snake until he got out of the car.