As a keeper of both Blacktail Cribos (D. melanurus) and Eastern Indigos (D. couperi), I personally have the most admiration for Eastern Indigos and would highly recommend them if you appreciate snakes that are powerful as predators but gentle as companions. In my experience, Easterns are the more sociable species, and they are typically much more enjoyable to handle and interact with. I also believe Eastern Indigos to be more intelligent; linked here is a video of one of mine solving an advanced food puzzle designed for dogs. I attempted the same puzzle with my Blacktail Cribos and they just became immediately frustrated, even when presented with more simple puzzles. To say Blacktail Cribos are less intelligent is subjective, though – my observations are based off of clinical experiments performed with a comparatively small sample size, so please do not consider that statement to be conclusive.
“Blackjack”, one of our incredible Eastern Indigo snakes
With that said, Blacktail Cribos are still an incredibly rewarding species to keep as they share the same majestic characteristics as Eastern Indigos. They are such a joy to observe as they are always exploring, hunting, digging, climbing, and prying around their environment. Taking my adults outdoors in our backyard is one of my favorite things to do on a mild summer day because they are so curious and inquisitive; they often periscope for several minutes as they take in their environment, which is astonishing to see. Drymarchon as a genus are such regal, astounding animals, and regardless of whether you choose an Eastern Indigo or Blacktail Cribo, I promise you will end up with one of the most memorable animals you will ever keep.
“Reaper”, our regal seven-foot Blacktail Cribo
Regarding permits, if you are purchasing from a breeder outside of your state, you must apply for an Interstate Commerce Permit through USFWS before acquiring an Eastern Indigo. This is a federal law and therefore applies to residents across all states in the U.S. The breeder usually helps with this process to make it as simple as possible. With that said, if you are purchasing from a breeder within the same state, you do not need to apply for an Interstate Commerce Permit; however, I am not sure if there are any additional laws that require other permits to keep Eastern Indigos in Florida. I would suggest contacting Florida Fish and Wildlife beforehand to ensure you are following all local wildlife ordinances. If you inquire and have the time, please reply back to this thread with the information you received. I currently have my Eastern Indigos paired and would appreciate confirmation on the laws in Florida in the event a potential buyer lives there.
If you have any more questions regarding Drymarchon, please feel free to ask away. If you haven’t already checked out the care guide I published in the forums, click here to view it. Good luck on your journey with these amazing animals!