Florida Residents Encouraged to Report Sightings of Rare Snake: Here’s the Reason Behind It

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are asking the public to report sightings of the “elusive” rainbow snake, according to a news release.

The FWC said the visually striking snake’s population has declined in recent decades.

According to the release, the semi-aquatic snake feeds on American eels, another animal whose population is also in decline. That dependency and habitat loss throughout Florida are helping lead to the decline.

The snakes stand out with their 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.

According to the FWC, rainbow snakes are usually found in or near water, including rivers, springs and brackish marshes.

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Officials also said that snake fungal disease is impacting rainbow snake populations in other states, raising concerns about long-term survival of the species.

According to the FWC, a south Florida subspecies was historically found in Fisheating Creek, located in Glades County — more than 150 miles south of the nearest known population in Lake County. However, it has not been documented there since 1952.

“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.”

If you spot a rainbow snake in Florida, you are asked to report your sighting to the FWC.

Photographs are especially helpful in confirming sightings and can be included when you submit your sighting online.