Page 11 - AHATA

Friday 8 November 2024 locAl
A10

Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

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