- Blacktail cribo
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Blacktail cribo Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Genus: Drymarchon Species: D. corais Subspecies: D. corais melanurus Trinomial name Drymarchon corais melanurus The Blacktail cribo is a large tropical colubrid snake from Central America. Its coloration changes gradually from golden brown at the head to black at the tail. It is a type of indigo snake reaching 8 feet in length although larger specimens up to 10 feet may be possible . The various subspecies of indigo snake range from South America, Central America, Mexico, Texas and into the southeastern United States. The more well known eastern indigo snake is an endangered and protected species requiring special permits to keep in captivity. Does well in captivity and will eat frozen/thawed rodents. In the wild these snakes will eat almost anything they can catch and overpower including frogs, fish, lizards, other snakes, birds, eggs, and rodents. The young can be high strung but will calm down with regular handling and can make good pets. Captive bred specimens are becoming increasingly available for purchase due to the many hobbyists who engage in breeding snakes. This reduces pressure on wild populations. Wild caught ones are often stressed from capture and shipping conditions and may carry a high parasite load and require medication. This particular subspecies comes from Central America. Has a fast metabolism and requires a lot of food. Is an active species similar to the various racers. Care is basically the same as for an eastern indigo. Requires a large cage and a hide box. Feeding response is generally aggressive. Non poisonous and also not a constrictor. Overpowers and swallows its prey alive. Has a fairly strong and unpleasant bite and may mistake your hand for food. The head has some patterning, black lines exist on some infralabial scales - they look like 3 eyelashes on each side. Is an egg layer and the young are about 8-10 inches at hatching. Follow link below for more information. The photo on the front page of the following link shows a child handling a large specimen. Even a very large specimen is not dangerous in the sense that large constrictors such as pythons can be - the worst you can get from them is a bite - this photo shows how tame they can become.
http://www.indigosforever.org/index.php?ind=gallery&op=foto_show&ida=212
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