Friday, September 10th, 2010
Habitat Print E-mail

Throughout its range, the eastern indigo snake can be found in a wide variety of habitats depending on the region in which it is found. In peninsular Florida, eastern indigo snakes occur in diverse habitat types; including sandhills, oak scrub, sand pine scrub, mangrove swamps, wet prairies, cabbage palm-live oak hammocks, and pine flatwoods. Some eastern indigo populations in south Florida inhabit vegetated, rock-strewn canal banks surrounded by sugarcane fields or citrus groves. 

 

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Eastern Indigo snake habitat, photo credit Dirk Stevenson
 In the northern parts of the range (i.e., southern Georgia and northern Florida (including the Panhandle region) eastern indigo snakes appear to be dependent on gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows for winter dens, and are more largely restricted to sandy, longleaf pine habitats. Gopher tortoise burrows in these areas play a central role in the ecology of eastern indigo snakes, particularly during ecdysis, and their presence will be required in repatriation sites at these northern latitudes. Additional refugia used throughout the year include stump holes, hollow logs, root channels, limestone solution holes, and land crab burrows.

 

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Eastern Indigo snake by gopher tortoise burrow, photo credit Dirk Stevenson
In the Coastal Plain of Georgia eastern indigo snakes favor wind-blown deposits of sand 3-9 m deep which are located along the northeastern sides of major blackwater streams. These extensive 8 km long xeric ridges of sands support barren environments with stunted turkey oaks and a patchy ground cover of saw palmetto, rosemary, mints, and reindeer lichens. These upland areas are used by eastern indigos during winter months while lowland habitats serve as foraging areas during the rest of the year. Wildlife corridors are important in linking these seasonal used habitats.

 
Site fidelity has been observed for adult eastern indigo snakes in Georgia; emphasizing the importance of long-term burrow viability. In the cooler months, eastern indigos bask in the vicinity of the gopher tortoise burrows they are using as refugia. Basking often occurs at temperatures of 15.5-22.2 ° C and at temperatures as low as 7.2°C.
 
 
 
 
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The Kaplan family and Project Orianne are fully dedicated to the conservation and restoration of eastern indigo snake populations. We will continue to tirelessly dedicate our time, energy, expertise, and resources to saving this “Emperor of the Forest”. As we move forward into 2010 and beyond, we envision our programs growing and creating a different landscape in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. A landscape where the forests are protected, prescribed fires in the growing season are common, indigo snakes hunt for rattlesnakes and rodents, and the people appreciate these resources that allow them to maintain their cultural connection to the land and their rural way of life. I have made this one of my personal missions. My staff and I are and will continue to dedicate everything we have into achieving our vision.

 

Christopher L. Jenkins, PhD,
Executive Director, Project Orianne


 

 

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 As human population growth and land development continue to increase, the need for conservation of our endangered reptiles and amphibians becomes critical. While some species that were once game animals or species that are generally considered more charismatic species receive overwhelming attention in the conservation arena, others, such as most reptiles and amphibians, are often overlooked. By focusing our efforts on the conservation of these species, we are changing this.

 

No matter what level of funding you wish to dedicate, Project Orianne guarantees that 100% of every dollar donated to our cause will go towards field conservation of threatened and endangered species. Together, we can continue our efforts of conserving eastern indigo snakes and rare reptile and amphibian populations on a global scale.

 

We sincerely thank you for your donation; we appreciate and respect your dedication to conservation.

 

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