Florida seeks rainbow snake sightings to map distribution

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has launched a statewide effort inviting residents and visitors to report sightings of the rare rainbow snake, Farancia erytrogramma, a nonvenomous, semiaquatic reptile whose numbers have declined in recent decades. Officials emphasized that the last documented Florida sighting occurred in 2020 and said each new report helps map the species’ current distribution and gauge its health in the state. Sighting reports, ideally with photographs, can be submitted online through the commission’s Rare Snake Sightings page.

Rainbow snakes are notable for their striking coloration: iridescent black or violet-blue scales with three vivid red stripes along the back, and yellow lip and chin scales marked with violet spots. Adults typically reach three to four feet in length, and the snakes are usually found in or near water—rivers, springs and brackish marshes. Though their appearance can be mistaken for more dangerous species, these snakes are harmless to humans and pets. They are often described as secretive and elusive, sometimes seen crossing roads on rainy nights or moving along the bottoms of spring-fed rivers by divers or swimmers.