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Captive care Texas Indigo
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by Kingetula on July 29, 2009
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I can now mark off the Texas Indigo snake from my "Must have" list. (You know, that list of snakes you always wanted but knew it wouldn't be easy) Ok so the Texas Indigo really is just close enough to the real one I wanted (Eastern Indigo). I've never seen these guys for sale, I was always late to the table that had a pair or just couldn't find them. I'm sure they are not hard to find for some of you but...
I know the need a large cage, plenty of burrowing substrate, they are a mess and poop out something GAWD awful smelling but I'm willing to stick with them. They were born 2 nights ago and today I just gave each a mouse for kicks as today was feeding day for all my snakes. SHOCKED my female ate it! My male didn't but I figured that would be the case but I can't tell you how happy I am she ate a mouse. I heard they may be picky at first. I'll try the male again after first shed.
Just looking for useful information from someone who has kept these guys I may be overlooking or just advice in general.
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RE: Captive care Texas Indigo
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by najasuphan on July 29, 2009
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I think Texas Indigo's are very easy captives, in my experience with them. I got a pair of neonates almost two years ago and they have been pretty easy and very rewarding captives. They were on my list of must-haves for a while before I actually found any. Their set-up is simple. I have mine on newspaper with a water bowl, a heating pad under one side of their tanks, I have them in 40 gallon breeder tanks with sliding tops for the time being, a ton of frozen mice, and a stack of newspaper since they poop a lot. Probably here in the near future I'll build them some cages with sliding glass fronts so they can have a lot more room, but as it is now they still have plenty of room. They pretty much get cared for a lot like I do any of my elapids, except that they actually get handled without hooks. I am careful to not over feed them, because it would be very easy to do and I really don't want them to get fat. They eat like nothing I've seen before and their feeding response is so aggressive it's comical; it's not uncommon for them to rip mice in half. I think if they had their way they would eat every day.
Overall, I'd say they are a very fun snake to keep. They keep you on your toes when feeding time comes but they have awesome personalities.
-Jamie
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RE: Captive care Texas Indigo
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by Crotalusssp on July 29, 2009
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Contact Dr. Bob Herrington, if he does not post a response. He breeds Texas Indigo's and I am sure would be happy to help you with any information.
Here is Dr. Bob's email.
bherring@canes.gsw.edu
Charles
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RE: Captive care Texas Indigo
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by BobH on July 30, 2009
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Congratulations Scott, you will love your texas indigos. Like Jamie, I keep mine on newspaper with a hidebox and a large bowl of water. I keep my herp room about 78 degrees and with small cage lights the temps creep up to low 80's during the day. I kept a pair of littermates to Jamie's and I have to agree their feeding response has only intensified over the past two years. I am hope it will peak soon because I can only jump back so far when I open the cage to feed them. Once out of the cage they calm down of course. I would probably not think about breeding them until the female is atleast 4 years old. Good luck with yours!
Bob
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RE: Captive care Texas Indigo
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by Kingetula on July 30, 2009
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Thanks for the feedback guys. (all of it was great info!)
My room stays 80F (give or take 1 degree)during the day and probably 75 at night. (No lights besides from a large double window) Heat (cord/AP cages) is on during the winter. I have 2 6X2X2 cages ready for them but will wait till some size is put on.
Curious, have any of you been bit by a large adult during these feeding responce? (Curious if gloves will be needed)
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RE: Captive care Texas Indigo
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by BobH on July 30, 2009
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Cages will be plenty big. I forgot to mention that just in general, I have found males a little harder to get feeding. Tuna or chicken scented pinks will usually do the job. Although it has been many years, I do remember a bite by an adult and it hurt and bled alot. It is certainly comparable to a large boa bite. Just use long forceps when feeding and you should be fine. I prefer multiple small prey items as opposed to one large one. I usually initially use a hook when I am going to take them out of the cage.....just to make sure they know this is not feeding time!
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