Southern Florida Rainbow Snake

Farancia erytrogramma seminola

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

4 to 5 feet long. This is primarily an aquatic snake but it also burrows into loose soil. It may emerge and be surface active on warm humid, or especially, on rainy nights. This snake has a very complex color pattern. Dorsal color: Shiny black above with 3 longitudinal red stripes. Lateral color: Each scale in scale rows 1 and 2 (the first 2 rows above the ventral scutes) is yellow with a black dot. Ventral color: Each ventral scute has a black spot at each outer edge and an elongate black bar in the center. The central bars are often so elongated that they contact the edge spots, forming a black bar entirely across the ventral scute. Scales are smooth and in 19 rows; anal plate usually divided. Colors dull and the entire snake becomes bluish when ready to shed its skin. Tail tipped with a sharpened spinelike scale. This is a rear-fanged species that seldom if ever bites, even if handled carelessly, when restrained. Between a dozen and 52 eggs have been documented in clutches produced by this snake.

Unique Features:

If picked up, a rainbow snake is quite apt to writhe and press its tailtip spine into your hand or arm. This action is entirely harmless. Rainbow snakes are specialized feeders. Although hatchlings may eat tadpoles and frogs (and perhaps a random fish) for beginner’s meals, throughout the rest of their life they eat American eels.

Habitat and Diet:

Fisheating Creek drainage near Lake Okeechobee. Rainbow snakes are specialized feeders. Although hatchlings may eat tadpoles and frogs (and perhaps a random fish) for beginner’s meals, throughout the rest of their life they eat American eels.