NON-VENOMOUS

Other common names

Common Rainbow Snake, Eel Moccasin, Southern Florida Rainbow Snake

Basic description

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.

Range in Florida

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.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

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

Comparison with other species

Red-bellied Mudsnake (Farancia abacura) Non-venomous Red-bellied Mudsnakes are glossy black with around 50 red to pink bars that cross the belly and extend up onto the sides of the body.

two images side by side - Image 1: Mud Snake - upside down snake showing red and black patterned belly. Image 2: Rainbow Snake - long fat snake with black red and yellow stripes.
Adult Mudsnake, ventral (belly) coloration. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Rainbow Snake. Photo courtesy of Ryan Means.

Black Swampsnake (Liodytes pygaea) Non-venomous Black Swampsnakes lack the reddish-pink triangular pattern on the sides and the alternating black and reddish-pink bars on the belly typically found on Rainbow Snakes.

two images side by side - Image 1: Black Swampsnake small black snake with an orange belly. Image 2: Rainbow Snake - long fat snake with black red and yellow stripes.
Black Swampsnake with belly color showing. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Rainbow Snake. Photo courtesy of Ryan Means.

Share your observations

You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist.

Additional helpful information

Do you have snakes around your house? Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes.

Still have questions about snakes or identifications? Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile.

Banner photo courtesy of Ryan Means. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy.