The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is encouraging residents and visitors to report any sightings of the rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma), a rare, nonvenomous reptile that has experienced population declines in recent years.
Rainbow snakes are semi-aquatic and primarily eat American eels. The reduction of eel populations in Florida waters, combined with habitat loss, has contributed to the decrease in rainbow snake numbers. Additionally, snake fungal disease has affected populations in other states, raising concerns about the species’ future.
“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 rainbow snake is known for its distinctive appearance: an iridescent black or violet-blue body with three red stripes along its back. Its lip and chin scales are yellow with violet spots, and adults typically measure between 3 to 4 feet long.
These snakes are generally found near water sources such as rivers, springs, and brackish marshes. A subspecies was once located at Fisheating Creek in Glades County—over 150 miles south of Lake County’s known population—but there have been no confirmed reports from that area since 1952.
Anyone who sees a rainbow snake is asked to report it to FWC. Including photographs can help confirm sightings when submitting them online.
Public participation through reporting sightings supports efforts to conserve this unique species.
