Indigo snakes are massive, blue - black snakes that are a real treat to encounter in the wild.
They are the longest snakes in the United States, with some individuals reaching a total length of almost nine feet. The indigo snake s huge size and gentle demeanor have long made it a favorite with carnivals, sideshows and animal dealers. The commercial popularity of the species caused its numbers to decline dramatically. The numbers of indigo snakes are still declining throughout most of the Southeast. Habitat loss and fragmentation is the main problem facing these snakes today.