Indigo Snakes?

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 10:45 PM

Has anyone ever heard of keeping an Indigo Snakes as a pet? I saw them recently at our zoo and thought they were just wonderful. I am unsure on them being something that is viable as a pet since they are supposed to be snake eaters...but wanted to know all the same if others had seen them regardless.

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-01-11, 10:48 PM

Recently someone posted pictures of there's on here... Dont know much about them though but people own them.

Damion930 · 07-01-11, 11:02 PM

Thers a couple posts in the colubrid forum they are purdy kewl I vant one

Coffee Black · 07-01-11, 11:12 PM

Really cool snakes. Been drooling over them for a long while. Supposedly they one are one of the few, if not the only, snakes to form real bonds wrth people. You need a $100 permit for them if you get one out of state in the US. Cheapest they usually run is around $1000. This month's issue ( September in magazine world) of Reptiles magazine has a great article on them. Just got it today. Breeding section of the article is super interesting!

reptile65 · 07-01-11, 11:15 PM

Yep. People have them, but they're pretty rare and you need a permit to own one in the US.

Fun fact: They apparently can't unhinge their jaws, so you have to feed them fairly small prey items. I haven't heard of them being snake eaters though...

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-01-11, 11:17 PM

didnt know all this... You need a permit? why? do you know?

reptile65 · 07-01-11, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD35WIN.AS.ONE

didnt know all this... You need a permit? why? do you know?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it has to do with the fact that they are native to the US.

EDIT:Just did some research and found out why you need a permit. Apparently you only need a permit if you buy one from outside your state. Generally if you buy one from someone in your state, you don't need one. The reason for the permit is that they have protected status.

Also, I did find some stuff saying they are known to eat other snakes in the wild. You don't have to feed them snakes in captivity though, since they eat a variety of other prey items.

TeaNinja · 07-01-11, 11:33 PM

my 2nd cousin used to have a big female named jezzabel. ended up rehoming her to marine world.

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 11:38 PM

Fort Worth zoo talked about them being rattle snake eaters. We spent almost 45 min with the one there when no one was around. It responded to my husband drumming his fingers on the wood ledge outside its tank and came out. Seemed to really want to investigate us. Very cool snake. I could believe that it "bonds".

Max713 · 07-01-11, 11:43 PM

God, I've always dreamed of having an Indigo.
Supposedly, under the king cobra, they are among, if not the second most intelligent snake in the world.
They actual develop a relationship with their keeper!

There are negatives that come with them though:
-They require EXACT temperatures, and overheat very easily
-They need to be fed regularly, as they do not share the jaw structure of other snakes, they can't eat anything larger than their head, and need to be fed quite regularly. Negative to some, I feed my Tegu every day, its not a big deal.
-Their poo is best described as atomic waste... seriously. Their enclosure needs cleaned regularly.
-They are extremely active, and need plenty of space.
-The cheapest you will ever find one for is $800...

They are a protected species, actually quite rare.
All of these negatives... are so worth it! They are incredible!

Some recent threads on them:
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...o-outside.html

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...ird-house.html

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...rn-indigo.html

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 11:47 PM

Oh I think they are so so worth having despite all those negatives. Heck most of those negatives are just something I consider with any pet. Feeding everyday, nasty poo, and need exercise...durn near sounds like a puppy! To me the fact that they can bond with you is enough to have one in my book. Considering they are a native species to Texas I have to wonder if I would need a permit to own one...I know people who don't need permits for non native much more dangerous animals.

marionsclan · 07-01-11, 11:50 PM

The reason for permits is for the Government to control the amount of certain types of reptiles/animals to come into the States so they don't upset the current balance of things. And if indeed they are cannibalistic then they could easily wipe out or make a huge dent in the local snake population. So therefore their numbers are protected.

NennaMeerkat · 07-01-11, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marionsclan

The reason for permits is for the Government to control the amount of certain types of reptiles/animals to come into the States so they don't upset the current balance of things. And if indeed they are cannibalistic then they could easily wipe out or make a huge dent in the local snake population. So therefore their numbers are protected.

Oh I understand the need for a permit

Just saying that people own non native species all in texas...and supposedly those people don't need a permit. And I am not just talking reptiles either. Texas has some pretty loose animal owning laws. Which is one reason why I love living here.

marionsclan · 07-01-11, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max713

There are negatives that come with them though:
-They require EXACT temperatures, and overheat very easily
-They need to be fed regularly, as they do not share the jaw structure of other snakes, they can't eat anything larger than their head, and need to be fed quite regularly. Negative to some, I feed my Tegu every day, its not a big deal.
-Their poo is best described as atomic waste... seriously. Their enclosure needs cleaned regularly.
-They are extremely active, and need plenty of space.
-The cheapest you will ever find one for is $800...

Well, just look at people wanting Babies.

- They need to wear caps to maintain the heat when they are born because they can't self regulate yet.
- They have a scheduled feeding schedule which, when not kept up with, can cause an incredible annoying sound to come out of them which they can keep up for a loooooooong time.
- Their poo has made grown man cry and need to be cleaned every few hours.
- They wiggle all the time and once they learn to walk take off in all four directions.
- And the cheapest you will find is priceless.

KD35WIN.AS.ONE · 07-02-11, 12:02 AM

Do they really bond though?? that seems kinda unlikely for a snake haha.