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local Wednesday 11 september 2024

Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

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