Page 13 - AHATA

Thursday 18 sepTember 2025 locAl
A10

Snakes of Aruba

Arikok National Park is ing sound when the snake which the snake can be
home to various unique is alarmed. Cascabels are protected and monitored.
plant and animal species shy and not aggressive, but The government has also
such as Aruba’s rare en- their venom can be dan- implemented outreach
demic rattlesnake Crotalus gerous to humans. It is best and education initiatives to
unicolor). This rattlesnake is to leave this snake alone. change local perception
locally known as the ‘Cas- Do not attempt to catch or of the snake and highlight
cabel’. But Aruba has two kill it. its ecological and eco-
more snake species living nomic importance – it is
on the island: the Santan- Cascabels hunt by waiting now being promoted as a
ero and the Boa. under bushes and fruiting national symbol.
trees to catch passing liz-
Cascabel (Crotalus ards, mice, rats, small rab- Arikok’s partnership with
unicolor) bits, and an occasional the Toledo zoo has safe-
The small Cascabel or Aru- bird. This is often consid- guarded the rattlesnake
ba Island Rattlesnake aver- ered to be one of the rarest ex-situ and led to a number
ages 70 cm in length. The rattlesnakes in the world. of research projects col-
body color is often uniform The range of the Cascabel lecting critical data on the
gray or light brown. There is restricted to the rugged Cascabel’s abundance,
may be a faint pattern of and mountainous areas life history and habitat re-
diamond shaped markings of the island mostly within quirement to help guide under rocks or leaves. They es which become red to-
on the back. This pattern is Arikok National Park. The future conservation efforts. frequently climb trees and ward the tail. The belly in
most noticeable on young- Arikok National Park was cactus. Santaneros eat white or cream colored
er snakes. The most distinc- designated in the early Santanero toads, frogs, insects, and with numerous black spots.
tive feature of this snake is 1980s to include most of the The slender Santanero or lizards. You may find San- Boas are excellent climb-
the rattle at the end of its rattlesnake’s population, Aruban Cat-eyed Snake taneros near dams during ers and may be found in
tail which makes a buzz- providing a safe refuge in is typically less than 50 cm periods of rainy weather or trees and cactus. Boas also
long. This snake is recogniz- crossing roads at night. This hide in the leaves under
able by the large scales on snake is found island wide. bushes waiting to catch
the top of its head and by A Santanero in your garden prey that pass. Boas catch
its pattern of dark brown will keep away the unwant- their prey with their teeth
bands alternating with light ed insects. If you encoun- and then constrict it in their
brown bands. The belly is ter a Santanero around coils. The Boa’s diet consists
plain white or cream col- your garden, please do not of birds, lizards, rats, mice,
ored without any markings. harm this species. and rabbits. Large Boas
This snake is shy and not have been known to eat
aggressive. However, it has Boa (Boa constrictor) small goats and chickens.
enlarged teeth at the back Boas are Aruba’s largest When threatened, Boas
of its mouth and mild ven- snakes. The longest Boa will hiss loudly. Boas are a
om which is not dangerous found on the island was non-native species. The first
to humans. However, the slightly less than 3 m. New- Boas were reported on the
venom can paralyze small born Boas average 35 cm. island in 1999. Since that
lizards and frogs. Santane- Boas are not venomous. time they have been found
ros are most active at night The most distinctive fea- across the entire island in all
when they search for food. ture of a Boa is its pattern of types of habitats. Source:
During the day, they hide dark brown and tan blotch- National Park Aruba.q