Rare Rainbow Snake Spotted In The Wild After 50+Years

These highly elusive, highly-aquatic snakes are very seldom seen

Kylin

• Published in Animals
• October 14, 2022

Recently, a rare rainbow snake was spotted in Marion county, Florida. While this may seem like no biggie, since snakes can be found outside most places in Florida if you’re looking hard enough, the rainbow snake is extremely elusive and hadn’t been seen in Marion county for over 50 years before this instance.

Two women, Tracey Cauthen and her friend, Rebecca Boyer, were hiking together in the Ocala National Forest, which is located about 47 miles north of Orlando, when they saw the 4-foot-long snake. The two managed to capture some great photos of the beautiful snake before they continued on with their hike.

Cauthen shared the photos with the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. The FWC confirmed with the Florida Museum of Natural History that their sighting of this rainbow snake was the first one in Marion county since 1969!

The FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute shared the pictures from Tracey on their Facebook page, along with the information provided by the Florida Museum of Natural History. Commenters shared pictures from their own encounters with these nonvenomous, harmless reptiles.

Keep scrolling to see the pictures of this beautiful snake, along with some of the interesting facts that we’ve collected about this shy snake.

The Rainbow Snake is a strikingly gorgeous non-venomous snake

Here are the photos that Tracey and Rebecca snapped of the rainbow snake

A great close up of it's head

Definitely a long "critter!"

“Tracey Cauthen and I came across this gorgeous critter,” Rebecca Boyer wrote on Facebook

The rainbow snakes are mostly a shiny black, and have 3 thin red stripes running down the back and sides

In the sunlight, their glossy black scales can look iridescent blue.

On the lower sides of the body, they can be yellow or pink, and their chin and throat are yellow

The rainbow snake is a non-venomous snake that is primarily aquatic, living in springs and rivers.

Rainbow Snake swimming in Cypress Springs located in Northwest Florida

Rainbow Snake swimming in the Wakulla River

These snakes are also referred to as "Eel Moccasin," as they primarily eat freshwater American eels. They'll also eat tadpoles and worms, all whole!

Commenters were quick to share their photos of their interactions with this rare snake

Look at the wittle baby 🥺

While their coloration may make them look scary, these reptiles are 100% harmless to people and pets

If approached or cornered, they will either hold very still or move away very slowly. In the event that they're captured, the rainbow snake may release a foul-smelling musk from the glands in the base of their tail.

Of all the snakes to come across in Florida, which is home to 44 total species, 6 of those being venomous, the rainbow snake would definitely be the best one to encounter. They are totally harmless and do not bite, even as an act of defense.

How cool do you think it would be to come across an animal in the wild that hasn’t been seen in decades? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and share this with your fellow reptile lovers!

Kylin