Friday, September 10th, 2010
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Eastern indigo snakes have been characterized as a “late-maturing colubrid snake”. These traits include high adult survivorship, high longevity, low to medium fecundity, small annual clutches, low juvenile survivorship, male-biased sexual size dimorphism, high ratio of mature to immature individuals in the population, and a significant proportion of the population that is older than 4 years old.

 

Sexual maturity in eastern indigos is reached in 3 to 5 years of age with a total length approaching 1.5-1.8 m. Male eastern indigos are estimated to reach sexual maturity in 2-3 years, and females in 3-4 years. In southeast Georgia, it is assumed that males typically do not attempt to breed until 2-3 years old, and females typically breed at 3-4 years old; however, exceptions can occur as a two year old captured in Georgia was found to be gravid. A skewed sex ratio of 2:1 male to female was found at a Georgia study site, and may be the result of higher energetic costs associated with reproduction, higher predation rates, and/or higher overwinter mortality in females.

 

Eastern indigo snakes are active in the winter; emerging from refugia during suitable temperatures to bask and breed. With the advent of cooling temperatures and shortening day lengths in autumn, adult eastern indigos concentrate on sand ridges and other upland habitats to breed. Competition among males for mates may be intense, resulting in male-male combat rituals. This involves the males intertwining as they wrestle and fight; sometimes biting each other on the neck and inflicting deep gashes. The height of the mating season is November through January, but breeding can occur from October through March.

 

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Eastern Indigo snake eggs, photo credit Dirk Stevenson
Females lay a single clutch of 4-14 large eggs between April-June, usually in an open-canopied sandy microhabitat. Eggs measure approximately 7.6cm in total length. The eggs are soft shelled, oval, and granular-surfaced. Females have the ability to retain live sperm for prolonged periods, possibly over 4 years, for later release and egg fertilization. Reports of nest sites are rare, but appear to be mostly associated with gopher tortoise burrows; especially abandoned burrows. Eggs hatch in August-September, and neonates measure 40.6 – 61 cm upon hatching.
 
 
 
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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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