2021/06/04 by Dirk J. Stevenson, Natalie L. Hyslop, Chris Layton +2 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Turtle Biology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1656/058.020.0212
openalex publication_date 2021/06/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Little is known about the nesting habits of Drymarchon couperi (Eastern Indigo Snake), a federally threatened species native to the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. Here, we describe locations of nest sites based on reports in the literature and from our field observations of putative nests and hatched eggshells. All wild nest sites (n = 7) known for the species (i.e., excluding those from translocated and/or captive-bred snakes) have been found in xeric sandhill habitats in southern Georgia and all have been associated with Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) burrows, including in the sand of burrow aprons. To protect snake nests, buffers around tortoise burrows are highly recommended during all habitat management activities (e.g., selective thinning, Pinus palustris [Longleaf Pine] restoration).