As their name suggests, rainbow snakes sport striking, iridescent scales that turn a glossy blue in the Sun. But these beautiful creatures haven’t been seen since 2020, so Florida officials are recruiting the public to help confirm they’re alive and well.
In a release published August 18, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced it was on the lookout for Farancia erytrogramma, whose populations have been threatened by habitat loss and snake fungal disease in recent years. Rainbow snakes are nonvenomous and don’t pose threats to humans or pets, leading a semi-aquatic life and feeding on American eels.
“We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state,” said Kevin Enge, an FWC scientist, in the release. “Every sighting report gives us valuable data about their current distribution and helps us assess the health of the species in Florida.”
Historical documents record the presence of these snakes in parts of southern Florida, but that was back in 1952. Since then, these already rare species largely went missing until one hiker’s chance encounter with one rainbow snake in 2020—the first sighting in 50 years.
Their large size and distinctive coloring set them apart from other species, but understanding their specific features is key to identifying them. According to the Florida Museum, adult rainbow snakes are large and thick-bodied, measuring between 27 and 48 inches (70 and 122 centimeters) in length. Rainbow snakes have distinct markings: three thin red stripes running down the back and sides, with yellow or pink patches on the lower side of its back, chin, and throat. They also have a tapered tail that ends in a “pointed, horny scale.”
FWC is asking anyone who spots a rainbow snake to report their sightings through this online form. Photo evidence is especially encouraged, they said, adding that “the public can play an important role in conserving this unique species.”
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