Michelle Milliken
A “visually hanging” snake has hardly ever been seen by scientists, and officers are turning to citizen science to assist.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) not too long ago issued a name to residents and guests of Florida to be looking out for the rainbow snake. This elusive reptile’s numbers have fallen in current a long time, whereas a subspecies – the South Florida rainbow snake – hasn’t been documented since 1952 and could also be extinct.
The innocent rainbow snake doesn’t pack any venom and doesn’t chew in self-defense. It’s nocturnal, which solely provides to its elusiveness. That nighttime exercise additionally masks its visually interesting look. FWC says the species is troublesome to confuse with one other snake, owing to its iridescent black or violet-blue physique, with three purple stripes on its again, together with yellow lip and chin scales with violet spots. Adults usually develop to between three and 4 toes in size.
They’re usually present in or close to water, from freshwater our bodies to brackish marshes, and so they feed totally on American eels. Sadly, American eels are declining in inhabitants, which is impacting rainbow snake numbers, as are habitat loss and snake fungal illness.
Officers say reporting any sightings will help save this distinctive species.
Kevin Enge, Analysis Scientist with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Analysis Institute, says, “We’d like assist from Floridians and guests to raised perceive the place rainbow snakes nonetheless happen within the state. Each sighting report offers us invaluable knowledge about their present distribution and helps us assess the well being of the species in Florida.”
In the event you spot one, you’re inspired to take an image if you happen to can and share that photograph and associated data with FWC at this hyperlink.
