Photo: Rainbow Snake courtesy: FWC
(Miami, FL) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Floridians to report sightings of the rare rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma).
The beautiful snake is visually striking and difficult to mistake for other species. They are iridescent black or violet-blue with three red stripes along their back. Their lip and chin scales are yellow, marked with violet spots, and adults typically reach 3 to 4 feet in length.
Rainbow snakes are a harmless, nonvenomous, semi-aquatic reptile species that feeds on American eels. Both the populations of rainbow snakes and their prey are in decline in Florida waters.
Both fungal disease, loss of habitat are impacting rainbow snake populations in other states, raising concerns about the species’ long-term survival.
“We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state,” said Kevin Enge, Research Scientist with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “Every sighting report gives us valuable data about their current distribution and helps us assess the health of the species in Florida.”
The FWC asks, "If you spot a rainbow snake in Florida, please take photos and report your sighting here.
They hope that by sharing sightings, the public can play an important role in conserving this unique species.