Friday, July 15

Massive Snake in Alabama

The Eastern indigo snake may be non-venomous, but its ability to grow over nine feet in 
length makes it daunting.



Massive snake discovered in Alabama for just the second time in 60 years! The discovery of an Eastern indigo snake is very exciting, since there has only been one other Eastern indigo snake observed in the state since the 1950’s. 

Eastern Indigo snakes disappeared from Alabama nearly 60 years ago, but scientists and conservationists have been working with the Eastern Indigo Project to bring them back to the state.

Eastern indigo snakes are native to the southeast United States, and once thrived in the state of Alabama. However, in the 1950’s Eastern indigo snakes had completely disappeared from Alabama, primarily because of habitat loss and human persecution. 

Additionally, because of their docile nature, domestic and international pet traders collected these snakes (which is now illegal). Furthermore, rattlesnake collectors (illegally) gas gopher tortoise burrows in hopes of collecting snakes and end up accidentally killing many Eastern indigo snakes as well.

Today, the Eastern indigo snake is a federally threatened species and is protected by federal and state laws. To even interact with an Eastern indigo snake in Alabama requires a legal permit—assuming you can find one of these snakes. 

For the past 60 years, sightings of Eastern indigo snakes in Alabama were unheard of. Which is why this most recent discovery is so exciting!  READ MORE...

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