| Movement and Home Range |
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Eastern indigo snakes have one for the largest home ranges compared to any other North American snake species. Home range size appears to fluctuate between sites in south Georgia/north Florida and more southern sites in Florida; with sites in southern Florida being smaller than those of their northern counterparts. In Georgia, females have been found to have a home range of around 100 ha and males around 500 ha. In north Florida, females have a varying home range, between 23-281 ha; while the males have a home rage of roughly 185 ha.
Home range size and movement may be influenced by eastern indigo snake population densities, mating opportunities, prey abundance, and the distance traveled between winter refugia and seasonal foraging areas. Individual linear movements can also be significant. One Georgia specimen made a long-distance, interpopulation movement of 22.2 km straight line, or more possibly 27 km, if the snake traveled through suitable habitat corridors.
Eastern indigo snakes are most mobile during the warmer months of the year (April-October). During this time they move often, and visit numerous habitats; especially low, shaded forests and wetlands where snake, frog, and rodent prey are abundant. Eastern indigos are inactive for roughly two weeks when undergoing ecdysis. During this time they are often found in gopher tortoise burrow or similar retreats.
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