Page 12 - AHATA

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local Friday 4 July 2025
Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

(Oranjestad)—If you have ever or initiatives to change local percep-
will ever go off-roading on the is- tion of the snake and highlight its
land, you may encounter three ecological and economic impor-
types of snakes that are dominant tance – it is now being promoted
on the island. The Cascabel, San- as a national symbol. Arikok’s part-
tanero and Boa differ from each nership with the Toledo zoo has
other in a couple ways, and local safeguarded the rattlesnake ex-si-
perspective on each one may help tu and led to a number of research
you understand what you need to projects collecting critical data on
do if you ever were to encounter the Cascabel’s abundance, life
one during your touring session on history and habitat requirement to
the island. help guide future conservation ef-
forts.
Cascabel (Crotalus unicolor)
The small Cascabel or Aruba Is- Santanero
land Rattlesnake averages 70 cm The slender Santanero or Aruban
in length. The body color is often Cat-eyed Snake is a small fella,
uniform gray or light brown. There typically less than 50 cm long. This
may be a faint pattern of diamond snake is recognizable by the large
shaped markings on the back. scales on the top of its head and
This pattern is most noticeable on by its pattern of dark brown bands lizards. You may find Santaneros what is called constrictor snakes;
younger snakes. The most distinc- alternating with light brown bands. near dams during periods of rainy they kill by wrapping themselves
tive feature of this snake is the The belly is plain white or cream weather or crossing roads at night. around a prey and suffocating
rattle at the end of its tail which colored without any markings. Na- This snake is found island wide. A them. The most distinctive feature
makes a buzzing sound when the tive as well to the island, this snake Santanero in your garden will keep of a Boa is its pattern of dark brown
snake is alarmed. Cascabels are is shy and not aggressive. How- away the unwanted insects. If you and tan blotches which become
shy and not aggressive, but their ever, it has enlarged teeth at the encounter a Santanero around red toward the tail. The belly in
venom can be dangerous to hu- back of its mouth and mild venom your garden, please do not harm white or cream colored with nu-
mans. In fact, it’s the only venom- which is not dangerous to humans, this species. merous black spots. Boas are ex-
ous snake native to the island. It is but can paralyze small lizards and cellent climbers and may be found
best to leave this snake alone. Do frogs. Santaneros are most active Boa (Boa constrictor) in trees and cactus. Boas also hide
not attempt to catch or kill it, as it at night when they search for food. Boas are Aruba’s largest snakes. in the leaves under bushes wait-
could not only be dangerous, but During the day, they hide under The longest Boa found on the is- ing to catch prey that pass. Boas
this snake is also endemic to the rocks or leaves. They frequently land was slightly less than 3 m. catch their prey with their teeth
island, and its preservation has be- climb trees and cactus. Santane- Newborn Boas average 35 cm. and then constrict it in their coils.
come a legal mandate for all resi- ros eat toads, frogs, insects, and Boas are not venomous but are The Boa’s diet consists of birds, liz-
dents and visitors. ards, rats, mice, and rabbits. Large
Cascabels hunt by waiting under Boas have been known to eat
bushes and fruiting trees to catch small goats and chickens. When
passing lizards, mice, rats, small rab- threatened, Boas will hiss loudly.
bits, and an occasional bird. This is
often considered to be one of the Boas are a non-native species and
rarest rattlesnakes in the world. The are invasive to the island, risking
range of the Cascabel is restricted the population of native lizards
to the rugged and mountainous and birds. The first Boas were re-
areas of the island mostly within ported on the island in 1999. Since
Arikok National Park. The Arikok Na- that time they have been found
tional Park was designated in the across the entire island in all types
early 1980s to include most of the of habitats. If you ever encounter
rattlesnake’s population, providing a Boa, please do not approach
a safe refuge in which the snake it. Instead, please call the Arikok
can be protected and monitored. National Park, as they are experi-
The government has also imple- enced in handling Boas.q
mented outreach and education