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Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Kingetula on July 14, 2008
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I would like to hear an educated response to the reason why the Federal and State Governments (and other agencies) do not do more to help the survival of the Eastern Indigo snake. I don't need reminding about our current laws protecting these snakes. (That are how many decades old?) I ask because I believe we are in an age that we could do more now to bring these snakes back than we could do 30 years ago.
It's my belief that the same hobby that put this snake on the endangered species list is also the same hobby (years later) that can bring its numbers back. I'm not saying the numbers in the wild will explode because of captive breeding and it's no secret that the wild Indigo's are in a constant battle with Super wall-Mart. Unfortunately we may never be able to fix that problem but we can make the E. indigo as common as Ball pythons and or Corn snakes at least in the pet trade. Many snakes have a unique advantage when it comes to extinction, we can bring them in our homes and bring their numbers back unlike trying to save the Polar Bear or whatever.
I would gladly pay $100.00 as I do for my Venomous license to be able to own an Indigo. The money can go to education, land buying or whatever to help protect the extinction of these snakes in the wild. We need someone with brains and balls to really help this snake out. Keeping these snakes out of the hobby is only hurting them in the long run IMO. Sure they need protecting right now in the wild but steps can and should be made to help bring their numbers up even if it's only in yours and my home.
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Adamanteus70 on July 14, 2008
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I was informed by Game and Fish here in Florida that there is a permit available, but only two snakes, both the same sex could be maintained. Two of the same sex is useless to a breeder.
If they were legal and common, after a while only a few people would want them. They are very messy snakes and require alot of room. A good friend used to have Texas Indigos and their habits were similiar.
Paul
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Kingetula on July 14, 2008
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I would really like to see a link to that application and rules. I called Florida game a year ago and they laughed in my face pretty much when I inquired about keeping Indigos. (even getting one from a breeder in California)
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Cro on July 14, 2008
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Indigo snakes would probably not be suitable for many reptile keepers.
Unlike Ball Pythons and Corn Snakes, they have a very high metabolism, and have to be fed a lot, and as Paul said, their cages constantly need cleaning.
I can see someone who does educational talks using an Indigo snake, as they are mostly mild mannered, however, I would hate to see them in the common pet trade. Perhaps the Federal and State folks could make permits easier to get for Educational use.
Years ago, before they were outlawed, I kept Eastern Indigo snakes, and they were very interesting critters to keep. One I raised from a newborn, and had for many years. He eventually made it to the North Carolina Museum of Natural History, and was part of a big exhibit that housed several breeding sized Indigos.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Adamanteus70 on July 14, 2008
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I think it is a federal permit system. I am not sure if there is anything on the web, but I will ask that officer again and post the answer.
Paul
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by earthguy on July 15, 2008
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Scott,
I understand where you're coming from. If the goal of evolution is to spread your genes as far as they can go, then being associated with humans is a good way to do that. As a case in point, look at cows. The number of cows in the US is far greater than a natural ecosystem could support. If we chose to, we could allow the captive population of Indigos to grow significantly. However, I am not sure how well that would translate into wild population growth. Also, as John and others have mentioned, those who I know that have kept indigos say ow one that they are NOT for the beginning keeper ('like a cobra, without the venom' is how one guy described them).
For what it's worth, I would LOVE to keep an Indigo. I looked into it several years ago, and I decided it was too expensive. The cost of permitting, buying, and feeding that one snake was more than double my current budget. Too bad. I can only imagine the faces of the kiddies (and adults) as I pulled out a beautiful, MASSIVE, native snake at a talk.
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Rob_Carmichael on July 15, 2008
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I've been keeping and breeding eastern indigos for over 20 years - it's too bad that most folks can't enjoy the opportunity of raising an indigo - they are magnificent but not for everyone as has been stated. I now only sell/donate to nature centers, zoos and museums and I can understand some of the limitations to the private sector in owning indigos in areas where they occur naturally. The wild populations are in real trouble but not managing captive populations is even more concerning. We need to carefully manage these captive populations and need to find more ways to mesh the private sector and zoo sector.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by yoyoing on July 15, 2008
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"We need to carefully manage these captive populations and need to find more ways to mesh the private sector and zoo sector."
You said it right there, and perhaps damaged your elitist reputation (which I don't believe in). Imagine if these where Panda Bears, tuataras, Kamoto Dragons; easily breeding in amateur captivity. This makes no sense and should not be tolerated.
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by earthguy on July 16, 2008
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So, Rob... you want to donate a E. Indigo to my "zoo"? Perhaps you can just let me snake sit one for a while to get the experience :)
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RE: Keeping Eastern Indigos
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by Cro on July 16, 2008
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Josh, have you considered a Texas Indigo ?
They are sometimes available, and lots of fun to keep.
You will still be cleaning chages about 10 times a week with them, and feeding them all the time, but at least you will not have to fool with getting a Federal Permit for them.
Best Regards John Z
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