Kenneth L. Krysko (left) and F. Wayne King (right) photos.

Scientific name: Farancia erytrogramma.

The following key will separate the two subspecies of rainbow snake that are found in Florida. If you are unable to distinguish between the subspecies based on the characteristics in the key below, you probably can do so using the geographic location alone.

1a	Belly and lower sides clear red except for 3 rows of black spots forming longitudinal stripes on belly scales; central Florida and the coastal plain to eastern Louisiana and eastern Virginia.	Rainbow snake, Farancia erytrogramma erytrogramma
1b	Black spots and speckles on every belly scale and lower two rows of scales on side of body; northern Lake Okeechobee.	South Florida rainbow snake, Farancia erytrogramma seminola

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