Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have issued an urgent plea to the public requesting assistance in identifying an endangered species.
What is a rainbow snake?
On Monday, Aug. 19, the FWC released a statement requesting people in the state to report any sightings of the rainbow snake, a nonvenomous and exceedingly rare reptile which is dwindling on the edge of extinction. The rainbow snake, also known as Farancia erytrogramma, is colored in radiant black and/or violet-blue scales with three bright red stripes running down its back. The scales around the species Kips and chin are yellow with small flecks of violet coloring. Fully grown rainbow snakes can measure up to three or four feet.
Sightings of rainbow snakes are remarkably rare. USA Today reported that the last confirmed sighting occurred in February 2020. The FWC explained that rainbow snakes are being heavily impacted by habitat loss. They’re also dying off because their prime source of food, American eels, are also going extinct. Additionally, rainbow snakes in some North American states have fallen ill with snake fungal disease, which can lead to infections and pneumonia.
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What have officials said?
“We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state,” said Kevin Enge, a 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.”
Rainbow snakes are entirely harmless to humans, though their size may be off putting. The species usually reside near rivers, marshes, and springs. Officials ask anyone who sees a rainbow snake to please submit your sighting online.
