Eastern Indigo

Congrats! She sure is a beauty!

Congrats i have seen a few here and there and like them but dont know much about them and wanted to know im in AZ do i require a permit to own one as well?? and y is there so much u have to do just to own one? by some of the replies im guessing its cuz they are and endangered species???
thanks

They are on the Threatened Species list. This means that you have to have a permit from US Fish and Wildlife to transport them across state lines. That permit, I'm told is not hard to obtain and cost $100. Most states allow ownership of Eastern Indigos, however, Florida has much stronger restrictions. In Florida, you must have a permit to own one and those permits are not easy to obtain. I believe they are also banned in Georgia.

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Originally Posted by ahunt037

Congrats i have seen a few here and there and like them but dont know much about them and wanted to know im in AZ do i require a permit to own one as well?? and y is there so much u have to do just to own one? by some of the replies im guessing its cuz they are and endangered species???
thanks

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they are classified as a threatened native species under federal law, and a USFWS permit is required for interstate sale. ignoring state laws for a moment, unless you find a breeder in your own state, the permit is the most fundamental step required across the board. they're not too intensive but do require a $100 filing fee regardless of whether your application is approved, and you will need some assistance from the breeder. but some states also restrict or ban the captive keeping of indigos altogether, florida being the most notorious. you would have to check arizona law regarding threatened species and drymarchon in particular. I was lucky virginia doesn't have any other restrictions, at least for the moment.


and Don beats my post by a minute. sorry if it looks like regurgitation (no pun intended).

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Originally Posted by Don

They are on the Threatened Species list. This means that you have to have a permit from US Fish and Wildlife to transport them across state lines. That permit, I'm told is not hard to obtain and cost $100. Most states allow ownership of Eastern Indigos, however, Florida has much stronger restrictions. In Florida, you must have a permit to own one and those permits are not easy to obtain. I believe they are also banned in Georgia.

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Originally Posted by wwmjkd

they are classified as a threatened native species under federal law, and a USFWS permit is required for interstate sale. ignoring state laws for a moment, unless you find a breeder in your own state, the permit is the most fundamental step required across the board. they're not too intensive but do require a $100 filing fee regardless of whether your application is approved, and you will need some assistance from the breeder. but some states also restrict or ban the captive keeping of indigos altogether, florida being the most notorious. you would have to check arizona law regarding threatened species and drymarchon in particular. I was lucky virginia doesn't have any other restrictions, at least for the moment.


and Don beats my post by a minute. sorry if it looks like regurgitation (no pun intended).

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My thanks to you both, lol! I am also looking into getting Indigos and while I pretty much already knew this much, it's helpful to hear it again. I will be applying for a USFWS permit early next year. I have not found any laws restricting ownership in Michigan, so I think I'm ok on that front. But if anyone else has heard otherwise, I'd appreciate the heads up!

Wow...I knew indigos were gorgeous but those pics reminded me HOW gorgeous. I want one....

Lol there's already been some great names mentioned and I'm drawing a blank.

Congrats though and jeeze that's a beautiful snake. I wonder if you need a permit in AZ for them....?

Edit: skipped a few posts lol, now I see ppl are already talking about legal status. Thanks, Don and wwmjkd.

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Awesome! Also, don't they eat other snakes in the wild? Is she wild caught? If so, will it be difficult to get her eating rodents?

Because they are on the Threatned Species list, captive bred is your only option. They will eat rats.

WoW! Good looking animal, Florida Cobra. I still see them in the woods from time to time, huge snakes.