Rare Rainbow Snake Spotted In The Wild After 50+ Years
A rare rainbow snake has turned up in Marion County, Florida, and the sighting is getting attention for a good reason. The colorful reptile had not been documented there in more than 50 years, making this one of those wildlife moments that feels almost unreal.
Tracey Cauthen and her friend Rebecca Boyer spotted the 4-foot snake while hiking in Ocala National Forest, about 47 miles north of Orlando. They managed to photograph it before moving on, and the images were later shared with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and confirmed by the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Now the photos are making the rounds, and the rare snake is getting a fresh wave of attention. Here’s the full story.
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 its 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 three thin red stripes running down their back and sides.
In the sunlight, their glossy black scales can appear 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 also consume tadpoles and worms, all whole!
That rare sighting is what makes the photos even better.
Commenters were quick to share their photos of their interactions with this rare snake
The comments section filled up fast after the post went live.
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 at the base of their tail.
Of all the snakes to encounter in Florida, which is home to 44 total species, six of which are venomous, the rainbow snake would definitely be the best one to come across. They are completely harmless and do not bite, even in self-defense.
How cool do you think it would be to encounter 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!
What a lucky hike that turned out to be.
For another rare-sighting comeback, see how the Eastern indigo snake returned to Alabama after 60 years.
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