The South Florida rainbow snake resembles less a rainbow than a rainbow's shadow: With its iridescent, blue-black back, yellow and red patches and three red stripes, the snake is colorful and ...

Adult rainbow snakes have a glossy, black or dark blue back with three red stripes running the length of their bodies. The underside of the snake is typically yellow or red with black spots.

Stiles said he was was scuba diving in the Conecuh River working on a mussel survey, when he encountered the brilliant red, yellow and blue stripes of a rainbow snake. Suddenly the mussels could wait.