Florida's Snakes
Rainbow Snake
(Farancia erytrogramma)NON-VENOMOUS
Striped
Rainbow Snake
Photo by Dirk Stevenson. This photo may not be used without the express written permission of the photographer.
Size:
Usually 3–4.5 ft. (max. 5.5 ft.)
Identification:
Body is iridescent blue-black. Back is marked with three pinkish-red stripes; lower sides are yellow, with a red dot on each scale. Belly is red, with three lines of black spots. Scales are smooth. Tail is tipped with a hard, pointed scale. This snake lays eggs.
Habitats:
Found predominantly in northern Florida in clear springs and streams and less frequently in creeks, lakes, ponds, cypress swamps, marshes, and tidal flats. This secretive snake spends most of its time hiding under debris or in crevices at the water’s edge.
Diet:
Earthworms, eels, tadpoles, aquatic salamanders
Map by Monica E. McGarrity - may be used freely for education.