What is the scientific name of the Black-tailed Cribo?

The scientific name of the Black-tailed Cribo is Drymarchon melanurus.

What are other common names for the Black-tailed Cribo?

The Black-tailed Cribo is also known as Middle American Indigo Snake, Central American Indigo Snake, and Black-tailed Indigo Snake.

How big do Black-tailed Cribos get?

Adult Black-tailed Cribos typically reach about 6-8 ft length.

How long do Black-tailed Cribos live?

Black-tailed Cribos live about 15-20+ years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Black-tailed Cribo need?

Recommended temperatures for a Black-tailed Cribo: 74-82°F ambient temps and 88-92°F basking spot.

What humidity does a Black-tailed Cribo need?

Black-tailed Cribos need 60-75% humidity.

What lighting does a Black-tailed Cribo need?

Recommended lighting for Black-tailed Cribos: 5-7% UVB.

What size enclosure does a Black-tailed Cribo need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Black-tailed Cribo: Juvenile: 36 x 18 x 18; Sub-Adult: 48 x 24 x 24; Adult: 96 x 48 x 48. Always base adult size enclosure off of snake size. They should be able to stretch out in length completely & turn around comfortably.

Are Black-tailed Cribos good for beginners?

Black-tailed Cribos are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate to Advanced for keeper experience. If previously established on F/T rodents.

Are Black-tailed Cribos nocturnal or diurnal?

Black-tailed Cribos are diurnal (active during the day).

What is Black-tailed Cribo behavior like?

Common Black-tailed Cribo behavior traits: Defensive when young; Strong feeding response; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Powerful colubrids; Strong climbers when given the opportunity to do so; Communicate through body language and chemical signals; Keen sense of smell.

Do Black-tailed Cribos lay eggs?

Yes. Black-tailed Cribos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a Black-tailed Cribo lay?

A Black-tailed Cribo clutch is typically about 4-25 eggs.

How long do Black-tailed Cribo eggs take to hatch?

Black-tailed Cribo eggs typically incubate for about 90-130+ days before hatching.

What is the best substrate for adult Black-tailed Cribos?

Recommended substrates for adult Black-tailed Cribos: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.

What is the best enclosure for a Black-tailed Cribo?

Recommended enclosures for Black-tailed Cribos by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a Black-tailed Cribo?

Recommended lighting products for Black-tailed Cribos: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting.

Black-tailed Cribo

Common Name(s)	Middle American Indigo Snake Central American Indigo Snake Black-tailed Indigo Snake
Scientific Name	Drymarchon melanurus
Behavior	Diurnal (active during day) Defensive when young Strong feeding response Warm up easily with consistent handling Powerful colubrids Strong climbers when given the opportunity to do so Communicate through body language and chemical signals Keen sense of smell
Reproduction	Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~60-90 days Clutch size: ~4-25 eggs Incubation: ~90-130+ days
Lifespan	~15-20+ years
Temperatures	74-82°F ambient temps 88-92°F basking spot
Humidity	60-75%
Lighting	5-7% UVB
Size	~6-8 ft length
Enclosure Recommendations	Juvenile: 36 x 18 x 18 Sub-Adult: 48 x 24 x 24 Adult: 96 x 48 x 48 Always base adult size enclosure off of snake size. They should be able to stretch out in length completely & turn around comfortably.
Experience Level	Intermediate to Advanced If previously established on F/T rodents Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18.

Filter by age:

Best Enclosures for Subadult Black-tailed Cribos

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 120 Gallon 48x24x24 / Black

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Black-tailed Cribos

Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Subadult Black-tailed Cribos

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 75W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

Best Substrates for Juvenile Black-tailed Cribos

ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Black-tailed Cribos

36" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (36x18) - 50 Gallon: Black

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Black-tailed Cribos

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 50W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

Native Range

Southern Texas
Gulf Coast of Mexico
Sinaloa
Yucatán Peninsula
Guatemala
Belize

Why ReptiChip?

ReptiChip is made by black-tailed cribo lovers, for black-tailed cribo lovers. It’s what the pros use, and it’s what you can use, too.

Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect black-tailed cribo bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate black-tailed cribo bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common Black-tailed Cribo ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Black-tailed Cribo is Drymarchon melanurus.
: The Black-tailed Cribo is also known as Middle American Indigo Snake, Central American Indigo Snake, and Black-tailed Indigo Snake.
: Black-tailed Cribos are native to Southern Texas, Gulf Coast of Mexico, Sinaloa, Yucatán Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize.
: Adult Black-tailed Cribos typically reach about 6-8 ft length.
: Black-tailed Cribos live about 15-20+ years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Black-tailed Cribo: 74-82°F ambient temps and 88-92°F basking spot.
: Black-tailed Cribos need 60-75% humidity.
: Recommended lighting for Black-tailed Cribos: 5-7% UVB.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Black-tailed Cribo: Juvenile: 36 x 18 x 18; Sub-Adult: 48 x 24 x 24; Adult: 96 x 48 x 48. Always base adult size enclosure off of snake size. They should be able to stretch out in length completely & turn around comfortably.
: Black-tailed Cribos are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate to Advanced for keeper experience. If previously established on F/T rodents.
: Black-tailed Cribos are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Black-tailed Cribo behavior traits: Defensive when young; Strong feeding response; Warm up easily with consistent handling; Powerful colubrids; Strong climbers when given the opportunity to do so; Communicate through body language and chemical signals; Keen sense of smell.
: Yes. Black-tailed Cribos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Black-tailed Cribo clutch is typically about 4-25 eggs.
: Black-tailed Cribo eggs typically incubate for about 90-130+ days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Black-tailed Cribos: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended substrates for adult Black-tailed Cribos: ReptiChip Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended enclosures for Black-tailed Cribos by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Black-tailed Cribos: Arcadia 6% UVB D3 Forest Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for Black-tailed Cribos: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector.