In celebration of World Snake Day on July 16, we’re shining a light on one of Florida’s most iconic and misunderstood reptiles: the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi).
Eastern indigo snake. Photo by Kevin Enge | FWC
Florida is home to more than 50 species of native snakes, each playing a unique role in the web of life. But few stand out like the eastern indigo. With its iridescent, blue-black scales and impressive size, this nonvenomous species is not only a striking sight in the wild but a vital part of Florida’s ecosystems. The eastern indigo snake can grow over 8 feet long, making it the longest native snake in North America. Despite its size, this snake is shy, non-aggressive, and poses no threat to humans. In fact, its diet includes a variety of small animals, including venomous snakes like rattlesnakes—making it an important predator in Florida’s food web.
Eastern indigo snakes once ranged throughout the southeastern U.S., but today they are primarily found in Florida and parts of southern Georgia, where they depend on longleaf pine sandhills, scrublands, and pine flatwoods. These habitats are not only scarce but also increasingly fragmented due to development.
Eastern indigo snake. Photo by Tom Woodward
A Species in Decline
Due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and historic overcollection, eastern indigo snakes are now federally listed as threatened. Their decline is closely linked to the degradation of the longleaf pine ecosystems they call home—ecosystems that have been reduced to just a fraction of their historic range.
Eastern indigo snake. Photo by Tasman Rosenfeld
FWF and partner organizations are working to protect and restore these critical habitats through land conservation. These efforts benefit not just indigo snakes, but a wide range of native Florida species.
Why They Matter
Eastern indigo snakes are considered an umbrella species, meaning that efforts to protect their habitat benefit a wide range of other wildlife. Because indigos require large, connected territories and healthy ecosystems to thrive, conserving land for them also helps safeguard entire biodiversity hotspots.
One of the most critical relationships is with the gopher tortoise, a fellow keystone species. Indigo snakes often rely on abandoned or active tortoise burrows for shelter, especially during cooler months. These burrows can host more than 300 other species, making them vital hubs of life in Florida’s uplands.
gopher tortoise burrow. Photo by Federico Acevedo
By protecting indigo snake habitat—like longleaf pine sandhills, scrub, and pine flatwoods—we’re also preserving homes for fox squirrels, burrowing owls, Florida mouse, pollinators, and a variety of native plants. These habitats are among the most imperiled in the southeastern U.S., making restoration and conservation efforts all the more urgent.
In short, when we protect the eastern indigo snake, we’re protecting a much larger web of life, helping ensure that wild Florida stays wild.
Help Us Keep Florida Wild
As we recognize World Snake Day this July, take a moment to learn more about Florida’s incredible native snakes and the important roles they play in our ecosystems. Conservation starts with awareness, and every species has a story worth telling.
By supporting land conservation, you’re helping protect the habitats that species like the eastern indigo snake rely on to survive. From longleaf pine forests to gopher tortoise burrows, your gift helps us safeguard Florida’s wild places for generations to come.
