Museum scientists recently described the Gulf Coast Indigo Snake as a separate species from the similar Atlantic Coast snakes. These snakes are in decline due to habitat loss across the state, making it critical to understand the differences in populations for conservation efforts.
Summary
Gulf Coast Indigo Snake (Drymarchon kolpobasileus)
From Levy Co., Florida, 1949
Collection
Story
Indigos are really cool snakes and they’re the largest in North America north of Mexico. They were listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the 1970s as threatened species. The recent genetic study found two species of indigos in eastern North America and, therefore, it cut each of the known geographic distributions by half.
Kenneth Krysko
Former Collection Manager, Herpetology*
Florida Museum of Natural History
Additional Information
Read: Newly discovered snake species could aid conservation efforts
Exhibit
On display Sept. 23, 2017-Jan. 7, 2018, Rare, Beautiful & Fascinating: 100 Years @FloridaMuseum celebrated the Museum’s rich history. Each Museum collection was asked to contribute its most interesting items and share the stories that make them special. Though the physical exhibit is closed, this companion website remains online, providing an opportunity to experience the Florida Museum’s most treasured specimens.
Exhibit Area: On The Brink
Theme: Warning Stories
Want to see more? Explore more than 300 breathtaking color photos of plants, animals, fossils and cultural heritage materials from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s collections in the award-winning book All Things Beautiful available from the University Press of Florida.
*This title was accurate at the time the exhibit was on display in 2017. Please visit the collection website to verify current staff and student information.