Page 14 - AHATA

Friday 21 March 2025 locAl
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Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

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