Page 20 - AHATA

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LOCAL Friday 11 OctOber 2024
Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

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