“It is an excellent indicator that the snakes that we have released, which were born into captivity, have been able to adapt to the wild, are functioning as wild snakes, and are reproducing,” said Godwin. The discovery of wild-born Eastern indigo snakes means the released snakes survived and had offspring, providing a glimpse of hope for the species’ success in Alabama. The goal is to eventually introduce a total of 300 snakes to create a healthy and viable population in Alabama. In 2010, the first snakes from the captive population were released into Conecuh National Forest. Starting with wild-captured individuals from Georgia, where the snakes are also found, they began to breed a captive population. So in 2006, a team of Alabama conservationists launched a project to reintroduce the Eastern indigo snake to the state. A decline in the snake’s population, therefore, has a “domino effect” on other species in the ecosystem. Jim Godwin, an animal biologist with the Alabama Natural Heritage Program administered by the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, told CNN that Eastern indigo snakes were historically the “apex predator” in the longleaf pine forests where they live. The snakes, however, are a crucial element of the ecosystem. But they went extinct in the state in the 1950s, largely due to habitat loss, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. ![]() The reptile, which is the largest snake native to the US, used to be found throughout Alabama. “Reintroducing a species to its native range is a daunting task, and we celebrate each step of its success!” “The snake found yesterday indicates the project is resulting in some thriving and reproducing indigos, just what we wanted!” the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division said Thursday on Facebook. The discovery of a wild-born Eastern indigo snake marks the success of an intensive program to reintroduce the reptiles to the state. The coachwhip is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.For only the second time in more than 60 years, the elusive Eastern indigo snake has slithered into Alabama. In Texas, the two subspecies of Masticophis flagellum are found throughout the state, with the two subspecies share a wide zone of overlap in the central portion of the state. There are seven subspecies of Masticophis flagellum found throughout the southern half of the U.S. flagellum can occupy a wide range of habitats from swamps and creek bottoms to dry meadows. testaceous is more commonly found in open areas such as grasslands and desert scrub, M. They are active from March to November in the warmer parts of its range.Īlthough Masticophis f. Coachwhips will frequently climb trees to eat nestling birds or to escape predators. They feed on many different types of vertebrate prey, ranging from lizards and other snakes, to small cottontail rabbits and birds. ![]() An observer may catch a glimpse of a coachwhip "periscoping" as the snake lifts the anterior third of its body perpendicular to the ground, allowing the snake to survey the landscape above for any potential prey movement. Diurnal hunters, their large eyes help them see movement across their terrain. They are extremely quick and agile, moving across open ground and thick brush with equal effort and speed. Some people suggest that the more darkly pigmented border of each dorsal scale (especially noticable on the tail) gives both subspecies a braided whip appearance.Īlthough non-venomous, a captured coachwhip will not hesitate to bite quickly and repeatedly, leaving a series of shallow gashes in its aggressor\'s flesh. flagellum in Texas, each distinguished by its color pattern. ![]() The dorsal background color can be highly variable, especially in Masticophis flagellum testaceus, ranging from black, red, yellow-tan, and even pink. ![]() Seven subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies. Masticophis flagellum is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake, commonly referred to as the coachwhip or the whip snake, which is endemic to the United States and Mexico.
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