Eastern indigo snakes are some of the largest snakes in North America; reaching a maximum
length, of 2.62 meters. Most records of wild specimens 2.4 m or longer have been from
southern Florida. The species is fairly stout-bodied and sexually dimorphic in size, with
males growing longer than females. Large males are typically 2.13-2.36 meters and
weigh 3.2-4.5 kg; while large females seldom exceed 2.0 meters and weigh 1.8-2.7 kg. Eastern
Indigo Snakes are a uniform bluish or gunmetal black both dorsally and ventrally. A wash of
orange-red is normally found on the chin, sides of the head, and throat. There is some
variation in this as in northern Florida; where some populations have black lip scales and a
white patch in the center of the throat rather than the orange-red. The orange-red pigment
is more prominent in male eastern indigos and may extend onto the belly of some south
Florida snakes. The common name for eastern indigos snakes relates to the large, smooth
scales of this species which appear iridescent purple in sunlight. Adult males have partial
keels on the scales of the total length of 2.62 m. Most records of wild specimens 2.4 meters or
longer have been from southern Florida. The species is fairly stout-bodied and sexually dimorphic
in size, with males attaining greater lengths than females. Large males are typically 2.13-2.36 m
and weigh 3.2-4.5 kg; while large females seldom exceed 2.0 meters and weigh 1.8-2.7 kg. Eastern Indigo
Snakes are a uniform bluish or gunmetal black both dorsally and ventrally. A wash of orange-red is often
present on the chin, sides of the head, and throat. There is some variation in this as in northern Florida;
where some populations have black lip scales and a white patch in the center of the throat rather than
the orange-red. The orange-red pigment is more prominent in male eastern indigos and may extend onto
the belly of some south Florida snakes. The common name for eastern indigos snakes relates to the large,
smooth scales of this species which appear iridescent purple in sunlight.