Giant 8-Foot-Long Snake Found in the State of Georgia, Biggest One Yet in Years

A massive, 8-foot-long snake recently discovered in Georgia was hailed the biggest and "undoubtedly one of the most magnificent animal" in the region.

The species known as the Eastern Indigo snake in the family of Colubridae was the biggest one found in the state, just a couple of inches shy to the nation's record. Wildlife biologists at Fort Stewart who captured the giant snake shared a snap of the nearly 8 foot long reptile on Facebook, Newsweek reported.

Ironically, Indigo snakes are non-venomous and harmless, despite of its large size. Most adult Eastern Indigo Snakes are about 60-82 inches (152-213 cm) in total length, according to Florida Museum. They are extremely rare and sightings of such is very unusual.

"Unfortunately, they are Federally threatened due to habitat loss and persecution by humans," said the researchers from Georgia Southern University Department of Biology. Under the the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Endangered Species Act, the snake is listed as "threatened."

Longest find in recent years

Indigo snakes are the longest in the US, but the recent discovery was considered to have a notable size, "apparently the longest Indigo Snake measured in Georgia in recent years," said the team.

Moreoever, the Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Encyclopedia of Alabama both said that the longest Eastern Indigo Snake in record was 9 feet and 2 inches long, but the Georgia specimen was not too far short of this record.

The snake, which is currently restricted to Georgia and Florida, and had been reintroduced in Alabama, prefers "dry, fire-maintained sandhill habitat with scattered oaks and longleaf pine. The presence of gopher tortoise burrows is a plus," the researchers said.

The Gopher Tortoise is another vulnerable species in the northern portion which Indigo snakes depend on in terms of shelter in the winter. Eastern indigo snakes will often seek shelter inside gopher tortoise burrows and other below- and above-ground refugia.

"As suitable Gopher Tortoise habitat has declined, so have the tortoise populations and with it the Eastern Indigo Snake."

The snake's fate

The biologists confirmed that the snake will live, and added that they will work with Indigo Snakes on a regular basis as part of long-term monitoring of their populations.

In a joint effort of the United States Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service and Sentinel Landscapes program, the departments have designated southern Georgia as the newest Sentinel Landscape "designed to protect natural resources, enhance habitat for several key species, and maintain military readiness," which includes important military installations and ranges, including Fort Stewart.

Their goal is to promote the protection of habitat corridors for numerous essential species like the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and eastern indigo snake.

Taking of eastern indigo snakes, defined by the USFWS as an attempt to kill, harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, trap, capture, collect, or engage in any such conduc, is prohibited by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) without a permit.