GOD MADE THEM ALL: RAINBOW SNAKE (FARANCIA ERYTROGRAMMA) BEAUTIFUL AND NON-VENOMOUS

 

RAINBOW SNAKE

(FARANCIA ERYTROGRAMMA)

BEAUTIFUL AND NON-VENOMOUS

The rainbow snake or Farancia is a large, nonvenomous, highly aquatic, colubrid snake, which is endemic to coastal plains of the southeastern United States. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, one of which has been declared extinct.

Most adult Rainbow Snakes are about 27–48 inches (70–122 cm) in total length. Adults are large, thick bodied, and quite beautiful. These snakes are mostly glossy black (iridescent blue in the sunlight) with three thin red stripes running down the back and sides. The lower sides of the body are yellow or pink, and the chin and throat are yellow. The tail tip ends in a pointed, horny scale. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults.

Rainbow Snakes are found throughout the Panhandle and in parts of the northern peninsula along the St. Marys, St. Johns, and Suwannee river drainages. A separate and potentially extinct population is known only from Fisheating Creek in Glades County.

Non-venomous. Rainbow snakes are not dangerous to people or pets.

Rainbow Snakes are primarily aquatic and mainly inhabit clear waters of springs and rivers. They are also sometimes observed in creeks, lakes, cypress swamps, marshes, and tidal mudflats. Rainbow Snakes have been found under floating vegetation, within banks at water’s edge, and under shoreline debris such as Spanish moss and logs. They have also been plowed up in fields several hundred yards from the nearest water. They are occasionally observed crossing roads at night, especially during or after heavy rains.

These docile snakes do not bite in defense. If approached or cornered, Rainbow Snakes will often remain perfectly still or crawl away very slowly. If captured, they may press the pointed but harmless tail tip against the attacker, and they may release foul-smelling musk from two glands in the base of the tail.

So it doesn’t bite but when threatened, chases you away with a foul odour.

Rainbow Snakes are nocturnal (active at night) and feed primarily on freshwater American eels, earning them the nickname “Eel Moccasin.” Juveniles are known to eat tadpoles and earthworms.

Prey are swallowed alive without constriction.

All things bright and beautiful, the Lord God made them all.