On the other side of the enclosure, the temperature should be between 70-78☏. Indigo snakes should have a basking surface temperature between 90-95☏. Like other reptiles, indigo snakes are ectotherms, which means that they need a temperature gradient in their enclosure to help them regulate their metabolism and stay healthy. What basking temperatures do Eastern indigo snakes need? Lights should be on for 12 hours/day, or synced with your local sunrise and sunset times for seasonal variation. UVB is blocked by glass and plastic, so make sure that the fixture your UVB bulb is in does not have a clear plastic bulb cover. It must also be placed close to the heat lamp, about 15-17” above the basking area if over mesh, and 18-20” above the basking area if not. The UVB bulb should be housed in a reflective fixture such as the Arcadia ProT5 or Vivarium Electronics for best output. The best UVB bulbs for indigos housed in a 6’ x 3’ x 3’ enclosure are: UVB gives snakes all of the vitamin D that their bodies need, stimulates better appetite and activity, and generally allows them to be healthier than they would be without.Įastern indigos do best with low-strength UVB as part of their enclosure. They can survive without it, but it’s still best practice to provide UVB lighting for optimal health and wellbeing, particularly considering that Eastern indigos are a diurnal species. Furthermore, considering that this species is known to eat snakes as a major part of their diet, cannibalism is a very real danger. For a large snake like the Eastern indigo, that requires a 6’L x 3’W x 3’H enclosure or larger, particularly for larger adults.Ĭohabitation (keeping multiple indigos in one enclosure) is not recommended, as indigo snakes are not a social species, and keeping them together is likely to cause stress. How much space do Eastern indigo snakes need?Īll snakes need an enclosure that allows them enough space to stretch out, thermoregulate, and move around as desired. With good care, Eastern indigo snakes are capable of living up to 27 years. Bear in mind that indigo snakes require much more maintenance than other snakes, so only consider this pet if you have the time and resources to keep up with their needs. However, their care is similar to a less-restricted species, the Texas indigo, Drymarchon melanurus erebennus. They are most commonly an iridescent black color all over their body, including the belly, but some have orange-red on the chin and throat.Įastern indigos are not common pets, as they are a federally protected species with strict exportation laws between states, and typically require a permit to keep. This species has a fairly typical colubrid build, with a robust body, oval head, smooth scales, and ridged “eyebrow”-like scales above dark eyes.

These snakes are terrestrial and generally prefer wetland areas for habitat, but they have adapted to live in a variety of other habitats, including prairie, coastal dunes, flatwoods, and scrub.Įastern indigo snakes are capable of growing up to 8.6’ long, but they are more typically between 5-7’ long, with males being significantly larger than females.

Eastern indigo snakes ( Drymarchon couperi ) are the largest snakes native to the United States, specifically present in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Blue indigo snake biggest