Long post.
Hello Mister Internet,
As far as "black morphs" are concerned,...well, I could possibly be wrong,..but,...I don't think there is any such critter. In nature, the Indigo has a variable degree of red, black, purple, white, brown, and cream on the head, chin, and neck. Some will even retain a few white speckles on the body, way into adulthood. There are some specimens which could be referred to as black phase, but not morph. Black phase because they are lacking in the classic Indigo red throat. However, with that said, I have yet to see ANY {all black} Indigos. Even the so called black phase will still have a patch, however small, of white, or cream color under the chin. And will still show some dark brown in that area. However,...if I'm wrong, please feel free to post some pics of an all black Indigo, and as we say here in Missouri,...show me. If anyone has such an animal, please post a pic!!! I'd love to see it, and add that pic to my collection of Indigo pics. I may even want to get one from you!
Now,...with all that said, Ive been told that a guy named Robert Seib in Los Angeles, Ca. produces the "black phase". You can go to
www.easternindigo.com and check it out. That's his website, if he still has it. Or you can go to
www.indigosnakes.com, click on "breeders list" and scroll down to his name. Not sure how he did this year, but check it out. Good luck!
And finally with all that said, I'd just like to say the following. The Eastern Indigo Snake is listed as "threatened" by the Federal Government, as "endangered" by the states in it's natural range, and it's habitat is disappearing at a phenomenal rate! It is quite possible that this species will not survive in the wild. And since it's recent declaration as a completely separate species, it is unique in the world of snakes! Therefore we, the folks who keep and breed them, MUST do everything in our power to ensure that the word "MORPH" is absolutely never applied to this species! If this species is to be preserved, it is highly likely that this will be done in captivity. Therefore we must not allow the captive gene pool to become any more distorted from what is normal than it already is. In short,...as far as the Indigo is concerned,...please don't breed for morphs. Ever. I'm not saying that you would, but for anyone who might be thinking about it,...DON"T.
T.
