Florida wildlife officials are urging residents and visitors to report sightings of the rare rainbow snake, a nonvenomous species whose population has declined in recent decades.

Why rainbow snakes are disappearing in Florida

Rainbow snakes (Farancia erytrogramma) are semi-aquatic reptiles that primarily feed on American eels, a species that has also diminished in Florida waters. This dependency, along with habitat loss, has reduced rainbow snake numbers across the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Officials note that snake fungal disease has also impacted populations in other states, raising concern for the species' long-term survival.

"We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in th

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