Farancia erytrogramma is a large, aquatic snake with a bright red belly and a black back. It has a long, slender body and can reach up to 4 feet in length. It is found in freshwater swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams in the southeastern United States. Its lifespan is up to 10 years and its current population is stable. It is a non-venomous species and feeds mainly on amphibians, fish, and other aquatic prey.
Name Origin: Farancia erytrogramma, commonly known as the rainbow snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake found in the southeastern United States. The genus name Farancia is derived from the Latin word fari meaning "to speak" and the Greek word anchein meaning "to strangle". The species name erytrogramma is derived from the Greek words erythros meaning "red" and gramma meaning "letter". This is likely in reference to the red markings on the snake's body, which resemble letters.
Related Species: Farancia abacura, Farancia occulta, Farancia schildei