The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is North America’s longest snake, an iconic apex predator of the now rare southern longleaf pine ecosystem. Reaching lengths over eight feet long, eastern indigo snakes often rely on gopher tortoise burrows for shelter during cold weather. Largely eliminated from
northern Florida due to habitat loss and fragmentation, eastern indigo snakes were last observed at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve in 1982.
That changed in July 2017. Thanks in part to the support of our Conserve Wildlife license plate, 12 young indigo snakes bred in captivity were released into the preserve. The released snakes were tirelessly monitored using radio-telemetry, some showing remarkable resilience and adaptability. A significant milestone was achieved in 2023 with the discovery of the first hatchlings born in the preserve, signaling the potential for a sustainable population.
Our commitment to restoring the eastern indigo snake population continues. In the spring of 2024, 41 more snakes were released into the preserve, closing in on the ambitious goal of 300 releases.
