Page 15 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Tuesday 22 april 2025

Blackstone Beach

(Oranjestad)—Named af- stones. Secondly, it lies on Blackstone Beach shows
ter its most recognizable the northern side of the is- the more natural side of
feature, the Blackstone land, away from the white Aruba: the stones that cov-
Beach almost represents sandy beaches of in the er the beaches and the
the opposite of the typical southern region. So, if you shape of it has been craft-
Aruban beaches. For one, feel up for something differ- ed for thousand years via
it has black sand and is ent—or if it’s opposite day, volcanic eruptions, coral
covered in black smooth visit the Blackstone Beach. reef movements and wave
activity of the rural northern
part of the island.

Located further east to the
Natural Bridge and Andi-
curi Beach, the Blackstone This beach forms part of the and can easily stray you
Beach is relatively easy Arikok National Park and is further in the wild ocean.
to access. Once you get therefore a site that is pre- However, you can still en-
passed the Ayo Rock For- served. This is why it is also joy a spectacular view of
mation, take the Andicuri relatively untouched by the stones and the northern
road leading up to Andicuri commercial influences. De- ocean that stretches out
Beach. There, you can park spite being called a beach, in front of the beach and
your car and take a 1km do note that it is not ad- take a picture with your
hike towards Blackstone vised to swim in the water, friends or family!q
Beach. as the current is very strong

The Boa

And what to do when encountering one

(Oranjestad)—If you have ever or and tan blotches which become
will ever go off-roading on the is- red toward the tail. The belly in
land, you may encounter three white or cream colored with nu-
types of snakes that are dominant merous black spots. Boas are ex-
on the island. Aruba is home to the cellent climbers and may be found
Cascabel (rattlesnake), Santanero in trees and cactus. Boas also hide
and Boa—the latter being an inva- in the leaves under bushes wait-
sive species. Local perspective on ing to catch prey that pass. Boas
the boa may help you understand catch their prey with their teeth
what you need to do if you ever and then constrict it in their coils.
were to encounter one during your The Boa’s diet consists of birds, liz-
touring session on the island. ards, rats, mice, and rabbits. Large
Boas have been known to eat
Boa (Boa constrictor) small goats and chickens. When
Boas are Aruba’s largest snakes. threatened, Boas will hiss loudly.
The longest Boa found on the is- Boas are a non-native species and
land was slightly less than 3 m. are invasive to the island, risking
Newborn Boas average 35 cm. the population of native lizards
Boas are not venomous but are and birds. The first Boas were re- Boas on the move again this are once again on the move to
what is called constrictor snakes; ported on the island in 1999. Since spring hunt for food. If you ever encoun-
they kill by wrapping themselves that time they have been found The Aruba Birdlife Conservation ter a Boa, please do not approach
around a prey and suffocating across the entire island in all types has recently informed on their it. Instead, please call the Arikok
them. The most distinctive feature of habitats. Facebook page that with the rain- National Park, as they are experi-
of a Boa is its pattern of dark brown ing season over, Boa Constrictors enced in handling Boas.q