Farancia erytrogramma

Farancia erytrogramma (also known commonly as the rainbow snake, and less frequently as the eel moccasin) is a species of large, nonvenomous, highly aquatic, colubrid snake, which is endemic to coastal plains of the southeastern United States. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, one of which has been declared extinct. The specific name, erytrogramma, is derived from the Greek words ερυθρóς (erythros), meaning 'red,' and γράμμα (gramma), meaning 'line.' Other common names for F. erytrogramma include horn snake, mud snake, red-lined snake, red-lined horned snake, red-sided snake, sand hog, sand snake, and striped wampum. Dorsally, rainbow snakes have smooth, glossy bluish-black back scales, with three red stripes. They have short tails, with a spiny tip which they sometimes use as a probe. Adults may show yellow coloration along the sides and on the head. They usually grow to a total length (including tail) of 36-48 inches (91–122 cm), although some specimens have been recorded up to 66 inches (168 cm) in total length. Females are larger than males.