For the
majority of species of Indigo Snakes of the genus Drymarchon, there are no
regulations governing them. However, there is some regulation regarding the
Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) and the Texas Indigo (Drymarchon
melenurus erebennus).
Eastern Indigo
A Federal Interstate Commerce Permit is required prior to the purchase, trade, or barter of captive bred eastern indigo snakes, drymarchon couperi, {ACCROSS STATE LINES}. This permit is NOT required for the same type of commerce between residents of the same state, within that state. The application form can be downloaded as a PDF HERE.
These permits cost $100 each. But multiple animals can be on one permit. An Interstate Commerce Permit is NOT required for a bonafied gift. This means that if the animal is a gift with no trades, money, goods, or services changing hands, then it is not considered commerce and does not fall under this stipulation. This is NOT a loophole to get around obtaining a permit. Attempting to label a purchased animal as a "gift" is illegal and may result in federal charges. Once you own a legal captive bred Eastern Indigo, no Federal Permit is required for transport of the animal(s) across state lines or move to another state with the animal(s), so long as there are no specific state regulations prohibiting it and you retain possession of your animal(s) during transport. The taking of an indigo from the wild is against both Federal, and State law, and can result in severe penalties. For more information, contact David Dell, of the Federal Fish and Wildlife office, in Atlanta, Ga. at (404) 679-7313.
.
Georgia:
Eastern Indigo Snakes cannot generally be kept or bred in Georgia as they
are state protected and regulated. An individual may own an Indigo Snake in Georgia only
with a special permit. This would generally be a Wildlife Exhibition Permit
with an addendum to include a single Eastern Indigo Snake. These permits are
reserved for those that provide public education and exhibition of wildlife.
There is NO permit available that allows the breeding of these animals.
Florida:
Eastern Indigos are illegal to keep in Florida
without a permit. These permits are extremely difficult, and often nearly
impossible, to obtain. There is no breeding permit in Florida and all captives must be maintained
to prevent prevent breeding.
Alabama:
Special permits are required.
South Carolina:
Special permits are required.
Mississippi:
Special permits are required.
Virginia:
Special permits are required.
New York:
Special permits are required.
New Jersey:
Special permits are required.
Illinois:
Special Permits are required.
Texas
Indigo Snake
No federal permit is required for transporting a Texas Indigo across state
lines. The Texas Indigo is protected in the state of Texas and permits are required to obtain,
keep, or breed them.
**Due to the fact that government agencies are often slow to adopt updated
taxonomy and/or may not officially recognize subspecies, additional regulations
may apply in other states. Previously, both the Eastern Indigo and Texas Indigo
were listed as Drymarchon corais, if a state where
the Eastern Indigo is protected does not adopt updated taxonomy nomenclature,
then the Texas Indigo may fall under the same regulations as the Eastern Indigo
in that state. be sure to check with the state
regulatory agency.
