US EditionWildlife Officials Want Your Help Finding a Snake so Rare It Hasn't Been Seen in Years
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges public reporting to aid conservation as rainbow snake populations decline due to habitat loss, disease, and fewer eels, officials said.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched an initiative to collect rainbow snake sighting reports, describing the species as rare and declining.
- Habitat loss and eel declines have contributed to the rainbow snake's population decline, while dietary dependence on American eels and snake fungal disease have added pressure and raised survival concerns.
- Displaying vivid coloration, rainbow snakes feature an iridescent black or violet-blue body with three red stripes and yellow lip and chin scales marked with violet spots, inhabiting rivers, springs, and brackish marshes.
- Researchers noted every sighting report provides valuable data on current distribution and health, and including photographs in online reports aids confirmation of sightings.
- Officials hope public reports will show if the south Florida rainbow snake's range is broader, as scientists lack data on where these snakes still occur in Florida.
16 Articles
16 Articles
FWC seeks sightings of rare rainbow snakes
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking the public to report sightings of the elusive rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma), a nonvenomous species whose population has declined in recent decades. Rainbow snakes are semi-aquatic reptiles that primarily feed on American eels, a prey species that has also declined in Florida waters. This dependency, along with habitat loss, has contributed to population reductions. Snake fun…
Wildlife officials ask Florida residents to report sightings of this ‘elusive’ snake. Here’s why
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…
Wildlife officials want your help finding a snake so rare it hasn't been seen in years
By Sergio Candido Click here for updates on this story MIAMI, Florida (WFOR) — Florida wildlife officials are urging residents and visitors to report sightings of the rare rainbow snake, a nonvenomous species whose population has declined in recent decades. Why rainbow snakes are disappearing in Florida Rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) are semi-aquatic reptiles that primarily feed on American eels, a species that has also diminished in…
Have you seen this rare rainbow snake in South Florida? FWC wants to know
If you spot a particular, colorful snake in South Florida or elsewhere, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants you to snap a picture and report it. The FWC says it’s searching for the rare and elusive rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma), a nonvenomous species whose population has declined in recent decades. While a subspecies native to southern Florida used to be found in Fisheating Creek in Glades County, sightings …
Florida wildlife officials ask for help tracking rare rainbow snakes
Florida wildlife officials are asking for your help to find the elusive rainbow snake, a rare nonvenomous species experiencing population decline throughout the state.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched an initiative to gather sighting reports of rainbow snakes, which have become increasingly difficult to find in recent decades, according to FWC.Enge, a Research Scientist with FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute…
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