Hiker in Central Florida Spots Rare Rainbow Snake, Species Last Seen in the Area in 1969

By  //  February 24, 2020

4-foot Rainbow snake spotted

A hiker in Central Florida made a rare discovery when she stumbled upon a Rainbow snake while hiking in the Ocala National Forest. (Jonathan Mays Image via FWC)

OCALA, FLORIDA – A hiker in Central Florida made a rare discovery when she stumbled upon a Rainbow snake, while hiking in the Ocala National Forest. The discovery is significant since the species has not been seen in the area since 1969.

Ocala resident Tracey Cauthen recently spotted the 4-foot Rainbow snake.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, biologists speculate the recent drawdown of Rodman Reservoir had this rainbow snake on the move.

Rainbow snakes are highly-aquatic, spending most of their life hidden amongst aquatic vegetation. They are rarely seen, even by herpetologists, due to their cryptic habits.

Burrowing near creeks, lakes, marshes, and tidal mudflats, rainbow snakes specialize in eating eels, earning the nickname “eel moccasin”.

Ocala resident Tracey Cauthen recently spotted the 4-foot Rainbow snake. (Tracey Cauthen Image)

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