41 Eastern Indigo Snakes Released In Florida, Longest Native Snakes In U.S.

41 Eastern Indigo Snakes Released In Florida. Credit: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Forty-one young eastern indigo snakes were released at The Nature Conservancy's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in the hopes of restoring balance to north Florida's ecosystem.

The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is the longest snake native to North America that conservationists say is an essential component of the now rare southern longleaf pine ecosystem. 

The species serves a critical function to balance the wildlife community by consuming a variety of small animals including both venomous and non-venomous snakes. 

The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is the longest snake native to North America. Credit: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Reaching lengths over eight feet long, eastern indigo snakes often rely on gopher tortoise burrows for shelter during cold weather.

The 41 snakes—20 female and 21 male—were raised for release. A total of 167 eastern indigo snakes have now been released at the property.

For the eighth consecutive year, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Florida, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens’ Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) and partners returned the native, non-venomous apex predator to the region.

In 2023, the official species recovery program achieved a milestone of conservation success with the observation of two wild-born hatchlings discovered onsite—offspring of the previously released snakes.

“We continue our collective dedication to the species recovery effort for the eastern indigo snake as we embark on this eighth year of introductions at TNC’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve,” said Catherine Ricketts, ABRP Preserve Manager with The Nature Conservancy in Florida. 

“Finding the two juvenile indigos onsite last fall is another significant indicator that the 40-plus years of habitat restoration and management work at ABRP is recreating a functional longleaf pine-wiregrass sandhill ecosystem that benefits imperiled species like the indigos.”