FWC Seeks Public Help to Find Florida’s Extremely Rare Rainbow Snake
Florida wildlife officials are asking for the public’s help in tracking down one of the state’s most elusive and dazzling creatures — the rainbow snake.
Nicknamed the “Eel Moccasin” for its habit of lurking around rivers and springs and feeding primarily on eels, this vibrantly striped, nonvenomous reptile is so rare that it is often considered almost mythical. A subspecies once found in South Florida was historically documented at Fisheating Creek in Glades County—more than 150 miles south of the nearest known population in Lake County—but no sightings have been reported there since 1952. Today, conservationists fear the rainbow snake may be slipping further into obscurity as habitat loss and fungal disease continue to threaten its survival.
“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.”
What makes the rainbow snake so legendary? Its shimmering red and yellow stripes and jet-black body give it an almost otherworldly appearance. But despite its striking colors, it’s nearly impossible to spot in the wild. The snake spends most of its life hidden beneath sand, muck, or vegetation, surfacing only on rare occasions.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging anyone who believes they’ve seen the snake to snap a photo and report it. Documenting where the reptile still exists could play a key role in mapping its range and understanding how to protect it.
For now, the rainbow snake remains one of Florida’s most mysterious natural treasures — a shimmering phantom of the wetlands that may be vanishing right before our eyes.
