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Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Florida wildlife officials urge public to report rare rainbow snake sightings
Florida wildlife officials are seeking residents and visitors to report any sightings of the rare rainbow snake ( Farancia erytrogramma ), a striking semi-aquatic species facing population decline. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has highlighted that public involvement is important to track the species' distribution, monitor its health, and support long term conservation initiatives. Distinctive appearance and habitat Rainbow snakes are easily identifiable due to their vivid coloration and unique markings. Adults typically measure between 3 and 4 feet in length, with iridescent black or violet-blue scales accentuated by three red stripes along their back. Their lips and chin are yellow marked with violet spots, making them unmistakable compared with other snake species. These reptiles are generally found in or near freshwater environments, including rivers, springs, and brackish marshes. Historically, a subspecies in south Florida lived in Fisheating Creek in Glades County, located more than 150 miles south of the nearest known population in Lake County. However, no sightings have been reported there since 1952. Rainbow snakes primarily feed on American eels, a prey species that has also experienced a decline in population in Florida waters. This specialized diet, along with ongoing habitat loss, has contributed to the reducing numbers of rainbow snakes in the state. Adding to the concern, snake fungal disease affecting rainbow snake species in other parts of the country, raising questions about the species' long-term survival prospects. Importance of public reporting Kevin Enge, a Research Scientist with FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, highlighted the critical value of community involvement: 'We need help from Floridians and visitors to better understand where rainbow snakes still occur in the state.' The FWC encourages anyone who encounters a rainbow snake to submit a report online, ideally with photographs to aid in proper identification. Even brief observations are important, providing researchers with information that can inform conservation strategies, monitor population trends, and assess overall species health trends. FAQs: Q1. What is a rainbow snake? A1. A semi-aquatic snake species ( Farancia erytrogramma ) known for its iridescent black or violet-blue body with three red stripes and yellow-and-violet spotted chin. Live Events Q2. Where are rainbow snakes found in Florida? A2. They inhabit freshwater rivers, springs, and brackish marshes, with populations in Lake County and historically in Fisheating Creek, Glades County.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
In an ‘impressive' rescue, more than 1,200 sea turtles saved from cold Florida waters
As Floridians reveled in a rare snowfall last week with snowmen and sledding, a team of Florida wildlife experts was busy mounting a sweeping rescue just offshore of the Panhandle. In one of the state's largest cold-water rescues over the past decade, biologists say they saved a whopping 1,200 stunned sea turtles from the frigid St. Joseph Bay area over five days. Images from local, state and federal rescuers show kayaks and truck beds filled with groggy turtles, unable to regulate their body temperature. Though lethargic from the cold, most sea turtles were alive and relocated to Gulf World Marine Institute in Panama City Beach, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson Jonathan Veach. While some turtles required medical care, others only needed a quick warmup in one of the institute's salt water tanks before being released back into the wild. Roughly 100 turtles that were rescued have died. So far, about a third of the rescued turtles have returned to Gulf waters with hundreds more releases planned for this week after scientists measure and tag them, according to Samantha Snow, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Nearly all of the animals rescued offshore Bay and Gulf counties were green sea turtles, except for eight loggerhead turtles and one Kemp's ridley — the most endangered turtle species on Earth. 'It was extremely hard work, but a lot of people came together to make this happen,' Snow said. Corey Lloyd, a turtle biologist with Florida's wildlife agency, said he spent his Saturday ferrying turtles in his kayak, plucked from the shallow muddy waters along an island in St. Joseph Bay. Lloyd paddled nearly a dozen turtles to deeper waters, where boats brought the animals back to shore for rehabilitation. The wind picked up and blew in more floating, stunned turtles toward the shore and he repeated the process. 'The effort to locate and recover cold-stunned sea turtles around St. Joseph Bay was impressive,' wrote the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, an arm of the state's wildlife agency. 'It was a large team of partners,' including staff with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local conservation groups, among others. Cold-blooded turtles typically become stressed when water temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Recent warmer weather in the Panhandle has already raised water temperatures above harmful levels for sea turtles, meaning many can be released offshore again. It's not the first time this area has seen a large-scale turtle rescue. In 2018, biologists also rescued more than 1,000 turtles. And in 2010, at least 1,800 turtles were saved from frigid waters. On Florida's east coast, offshore Nassau and Volusia counties, an ongoing cold-stunning event has harmed about 120 green sea turtles so far. While that's far fewer than the hundreds rescued off the Panhandle, it's the most stressed turtles the state has documented in Northeast Florida, according to the wildlife agency. Last week, rescuers pulled more than 40 small green sea turtles from offshore St. Augustine. Biologists drove many of those to the Tampa Bay area, where they're warming up at the Florida Aquarium's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center in Apollo Beach. It costs an average of $15,000 per turtle for general rehabilitation like food and treatment including x-rays, bloodwork and medication, according to Debborah Luke, the aquarium's senior vice president of conservation. 'With this severe cold stunning event, coupled with many facilities across the west coast recovering from the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, means we must increase our critical care efforts today to take in and save even more sea turtles over the coming weeks,' Luke said in a statement. The public who wants to help the aquarium's sea turtle conservation efforts can assist by donating, according to the facility. Gulf World Marine Institute said it was planning to release over 150 cold-stressed turtles back to the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday in Port St. Joe. Veterinary teams have said the animals are medically cleared now to return to the wild, after healing from their cold-induced comatose state. 'It really is overwhelming, but we couldn't do what we did without all the volunteers and the community coming together,' Snow said. The public is encouraged to alert state wildlife rescuers if they see an injured, sick or dead sea turtle. To make a report, call the wildlife commission's alert hotline at 888-404-3922.
