Why a state is asking for help locating an elusive reptile

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida wildlife officials are asking residents and visitors across the state’s 67 counties to help track down the elusive rainbow snake as part of a new effort to better understand the species’ shrinking population.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the nonvenomous reptile is usually found near waterways, but sightings have become increasingly rare.

Biologists noted that rainbow snakes spend much of their lives hidden in aquatic environments, especially in rivers, springs and brackish marshes.

"Every sighting report gives us valuable data about their current distribution and helps us assess the health of the species in Florida ," said Kevin Enge, a research scientist with FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "We need help from Floridi