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Friday 1 august 2025 locAl
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Snakes you may encounter on Aruba
(Oranjestad)—If you have will keep away the unwant-
ever or will ever go off- ed insects. If you encoun-
roading on the island, you ter a Santanero around
may encounter three types your garden, please do not
of snakes that are domi- harm this species.
nant on the island. The Cas-
cabel, Santanero and Boa Boa (Boa constrictor)
differ from each other in Boas are Aruba’s largest
a couple ways, and local snakes. The longest Boa
perspective on each one found on the island was
may help you understand slightly less than 3 m. New-
what you need to do if you born Boas average 35 cm.
ever were to encounter one Boas are not venomous but
during your touring session are what is called constric-
on the island. tor snakes; they kill by wrap-
ping themselves around
Cascabel (Crotalus unicol- a prey and suffocating
or) them. The most distinctive
The small Cascabel or Aru- feature of a Boa is its pat-
ba Island Rattlesnake aver- tern of dark brown and tan
ages 70 cm in length. The blotches which become
body color is often uniform red toward the tail. The bel-
gray or light brown. There
may be a faint pattern of alone. Do not attempt to
diamond shaped markings catch or kill it, as it could
on the back. This pattern is not only be dangerous, but
most noticeable on young- this snake is also endemic
er snakes. The most distinc- to the island, and its preser-
tive feature of this snake is vation has become a legal
the rattle at the end of its mandate for all residents
tail which makes a buzz- and visitors.
ing sound when the snake Cascabels hunt by waiting
is alarmed. Cascabels are under bushes and fruiting
shy and not aggressive, trees to catch passing liz-
but their venom can be ards, mice, rats, small rab-
dangerous to humans. In bits, and an occasional
fact, it’s the only venomous bird. This is often consid-
snake native to the island. ered to be one of the rarest
It is best to leave this snake rattlesnakes in the world.
The range of the Cascabel The slender Santanero or
is restricted to the rugged Aruban Cat-eyed Snake is ly in white or cream colored
and mountainous areas a small fella, typically less with numerous black spots.
of the island mostly within than 50 cm long. This snake Boas are excellent climbers
Arikok National Park. The is recognizable by the large and may be found in trees
Arikok National Park was scales on the top of its and cactus. Boas also hide
designated in the early head and by its pattern of in the leaves under bushes
1980s to include most of the dark brown bands alternat- waiting to catch prey that
rattlesnake’s population, ing with light brown bands. pass. Boas catch their prey
providing a safe refuge in The belly is plain white or with their teeth and then
which the snake can be cream colored without any constrict it in their coils. The
protected and monitored. markings. Native as well to Boa’s diet consists of birds,
The government has also the island, this snake is shy lizards, rats, mice, and rab-
implemented outreach and not aggressive. How- bits. Large Boas have been
and education initiatives ever, it has enlarged teeth known to eat small goats
to change local percep- at the back of its mouth and chickens. When threat-
tion of the snake and high- and mild venom which is ened, Boas will hiss loudly.
light its ecological and not dangerous to humans, Boas are a non-native spe-
economic importance – it but can paralyze small liz- cies and are invasive to the
is now being promoted as ards and frogs. Santaneros island, risking the popula-
a national symbol. Arikok’s are most active at night tion of native lizards and
partnership with the Toledo when they search for food. birds. The first Boas were
zoo has safeguarded the During the day, they hide reported on the island in
rattlesnake ex-situ and led under rocks or leaves. They 1999. Since that time they
to a number of research frequently climb trees and have been found across
projects collecting critical cactus. Santaneros eat the entire island in all types
data on the Cascabel’s toads, frogs, insects, and of habitats. If you ever en-
abundance, life history lizards. You may find San- counter a Boa, please do
and habitat requirement to taneros near dams during not approach it. Instead,
help guide future conser- periods of rainy weather or please call the Arikok Na-
vation efforts. crossing roads at night. This tional Park, as they are
snake is found island wide. experienced in handling
Santanero A Santanero in your garden Boas.q