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Monday 6 october 2025 locAl
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Snakes of Aruba

Arikok National Park is
home to various unique
plant and animal species
such as Aruba’s rare en-
demic rattlesnake Crotalus
unicolor). This rattlesnake is
locally known as the ‘Cas-
cabel’. But Aruba has two
more snake species living
on the island: the Santan-
ero and the Boa.

Cascabel (Crotalus unicol-
or)
The small Cascabel or Aru-
ba Island Rattlesnake aver-
ages 70 cm in length. The
body color is often uniform
gray or light brown. There
may be a faint pattern of
diamond shaped markings
on the back. This pattern is
most noticeable on young-
er snakes. The most distinc-
tive feature of this snake is nomic importance – it is During the day, they hide
the rattle at the end of its now being promoted as a under rocks or leaves. They
tail which makes a buzz- national symbol. frequently climb trees and
ing sound when the snake cactus. Santaneros eat
is alarmed. Cascabels are Arikok’s partnership with toads, frogs, insects, and
shy and not aggressive, but the Toledo zoo has safe- lizards. You may find San-
their venom can be dan- guarded the rattlesnake taneros near dams during
gerous to humans. It is best ex-situ and led to a number periods of rainy weather or
to leave this snake alone. of research projects col- crossing roads at night. This
Do not attempt to catch or lecting critical data on the snake is found island wide.
kill it. Cascabel’s abundance, A Santanero in your garden

life history and habitat re- will keep away the unwant-
Cascabels hunt by waiting quirement to help guide ed insects. If you encounter
under bushes and fruiting future conservation efforts. a Santanero around your
trees to catch passing liz- garden, please do not
ards, mice, rats, small rab- Santanero harm this species.
bits, and an occasional The slender Santanero or
bird. This is often consid- Aruban Cat-eyed Snake Boa (Boa constrictor)
ered to be one of the rarest is typically less than 50 cm Boas are Aruba’s largest
rattlesnakes in the world. long. This snake is recogniz- snakes. The longest Boa
The range of the Cascabel able by the large scales on found on the island was
is restricted to the rugged the top of its head and by slightly less than 3 m. New-
and mountainous areas its pattern of dark brown born Boas average 35 cm.
of the island mostly within bands alternating with light Boas are not venomous.
Arikok National Park. The brown bands. The belly is The most distinctive fea- their prey with their teeth
Arikok National Park was plain white or cream col- ture of a Boa is its pattern and then constrict it in their
designated in the early ored without any markings. of dark brown and tan coils. The Boa’s diet consists
1980s to include most of the This snake is shy and not blotches which become of birds, lizards, rats, mice,
rattlesnake’s population, aggressive. However, it has red toward the tail. The bel- and rabbits. Large Boas
providing a safe refuge in enlarged teeth at the back ly in white or cream colored have been known to eat
which the snake can be of its mouth and mild ven- with numerous black spots. small goats and chickens.
protected and monitored. om which is not dangerous Boas are excellent climb- When threatened, Boas
The government has also to humans. However, the ers and may be found in will hiss loudly. Boas are a
implemented outreach venom can paralyze small trees and cactus. Boas also non-native species. The first
and education initiatives to lizards and frogs. Santane- hide in the leaves under Boas were reported on the
change local perception ros are most active at night bushes waiting to catch island in 1999. Since that
of the snake and highlight when they search for food. prey that pass. Boas catch time they have been found types of habitats. Source:
its ecological and eco- across the entire island in all National Park Aruba.