Alabama's lands are crawling with 49 species of snakes.
Six are venomous, and the rest won't bother you.
One snake stands out, not for its bite, but for its size.
What is the longest snake in the state, and is it dangerous? Here's what to know.
The longest snake in Alabama is the Eastern Indigo, typically measuring six to seven feet from nose to tail. But they can get even bigger. The longest one recorded in the state stretched 8 feet 6 inches, found in Conecuh National Forest.
Native to North America, the Eastern Indigo holds the title of America's longest native snake, with some on record reaching up to 9 feet in length.
The Eastern Indigo snake is a glossy, deep blue-black snake with smooth scales and a hint of reddish orange on its chin and throat. It's often mistaken for the black racer, but indigos are bulkier and move more slowly.
Eastern Indigo snakes are not venomous.
Despite its size, the snakes are generally nonaggressive toward humans and are not considered dangerous.
The Eastern Indigo snake is not a threat to people or pets, but to other snakes, it is a top predator. This nonvenomous species eats a wide variety of animals, including venomous snakes.
According to Outdoor Alabama, rattlesnakes are a favorite meal, making the indigo the main natural predator of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
In Alabama, Eastern Indigos are closely associated with longleaf pine forests in the southern Coastal plain.
They favor dry, sandy ridges and often share the habitat with gopher tortoises, using their deep burrows for shelter from extreme temperatures.
The species once ranged across parts of southern Alabama. In the 1980's researcher released the snakes into seven counties — Autauga, Baldwin, Bullock, Covington, Escambia, Mobile and Washington.
Some were later recaptured, showing they had survived in several restocked areas.
Indigos have been reported in Alabama since then, but wildlife experts need to revisit the sites to determine whether populations remain.
The species is federally listed as a threatened species and is fully protected under the Endangered Species Act. In Alabama, it's also safeguarded under non-game wildlife regulations, meaning it's illegal to harm, capture or kill one.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Meet Alabama's longest snake. Its favorite meal rattles