ORLANDO, FL.According to a news release, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is requesting that anybody who sees the rare rainbow snake report it.
According to the FWC, the population of the eye-catching snake has decreased in recent years.
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The announcement claims that the semi-aquatic snake consumes American eels, a species whose numbers are likewise declining. The decline is being exacerbated by habitat loss and reliance across Florida.
The snakes’ iridescent black or violet-blue backs with three red stripes make them stand out. Adults are usually 3 to 4 feet long, having yellow scales on their lips and chin that are speckled with violet.
The FWC states that rainbow snakes are typically located in or close to bodies of water, such as brackish marshes, rivers, and springs.
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Additionally, officials stated that rainbow snake populations in other states are being impacted by snake fungal disease, which raises questions regarding the species’ long-term viability.
Fisheating Creek, in Glades County, more than 150 miles south of the closest known population in Lake County, is home to a south Florida subspecies, according to the FWC. But since 1952, it hasn’t been recorded there.
Kevin Enge, a research scientist with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, stated that in order to better understand where rainbow snakes are still found in the state, we need assistance from Floridians and tourists. Each sighting report helps us determine the species’ health in Florida and provides us with important information about their current range.
It is requested that you notify the FWC if you see a rainbow snake in Florida.
When you submit your sighting online, you can include a photo, which is particularly useful for verifying sightings.
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