Page 11 - AHATA

Monday 10 February 2025 locAl
A10

Snakes you may encounter on Aruba

(Oranjestad)—If you have
ever or will ever go off-
roading on the island, you
may encounter three types
of snakes that are domi-
nant on the island. The Cas-
cabel, Santanero and Boa
differ from each other in
a couple ways, and local
perspective on each one
may help you understand
what you need to do if you
ever were to encounter one
during your touring session
on the island.

Cascabel (Crotalus
unicolor) trees to catch passing liz- abundance, life history
The small Cascabel or Aru- ards, mice, rats, small rab- and habitat requirement to
ba Island Rattlesnake aver- bits, and an occasional help guide future conser-
ages 70 cm in length. The bird. This is often consid- vation efforts.
body color is often uniform ered to be one of the rarest
gray or light brown. There rattlesnakes in the world. Santanero
may be a faint pattern of The range of the Cascabel The slender Santanero or
diamond shaped markings is restricted to the rugged Aruban Cat-eyed Snake is
on the back. This pattern is and mountainous areas a small fella, typically less
most noticeable on young- of the island mostly within than 50 cm long. This snake
er snakes. The most distinc- Arikok National Park. The is recognizable by the large
tive feature of this snake is Arikok National Park was scales on the top of its
the rattle at the end of its designated in the early head and by its pattern of
tail which makes a buzz- 1980s to include most of the dark brown bands alternat-
ing sound when the snake rattlesnake’s population, ing with light brown bands.
is alarmed. Cascabels are providing a safe refuge in The belly is plain white or
shy and not aggressive, which the snake can be cream colored without any
but their venom can be protected and monitored. markings. Native as well to
dangerous to humans. In The government has also the island, this snake is shy
fact, it’s the only venomous implemented outreach and not aggressive. How-
snake native to the island. and education initiatives ever, it has enlarged teeth
It is best to leave this snake to change local percep- at the back of its mouth
alone. Do not attempt to tion of the snake and high- and mild venom which is
catch or kill it, as it could light its ecological and not dangerous to humans,
not only be dangerous, but economic importance – it but can paralyze small liz-
this snake is also endemic is now being promoted as ards and frogs. Santaneros
to the island, and its preser- a national symbol. Arikok’s are most active at night lizards. You may find San- Boas are excellent climbers
vation has become a legal partnership with the Toledo when they search for food. taneros near dams during and may be found in trees
mandate for all residents zoo has safeguarded the During the day, they hide periods of rainy weather or and cactus. Boas also hide
and visitors. rattlesnake ex-situ and led under rocks or leaves. They crossing roads at night. This in the leaves under bushes
to a number of research frequently climb trees and snake is found island wide. waiting to catch prey that
Cascabels hunt by waiting projects collecting critical cactus. Santaneros eat A Santanero in your garden pass. Boas catch their prey
under bushes and fruiting data on the Cascabel’s toads, frogs, insects, and will keep away the unwant- with their teeth and then
ed insects. If you encoun- constrict it in their coils. The
ter a Santanero around Boa’s diet consists of birds,
your garden, please do not lizards, rats, mice, and rab-
harm this species. bits. Large Boas have been
known to eat small goats
Boa (Boa constrictor) and chickens. When threat-
Boas are Aruba’s largest ened, Boas will hiss loudly.
snakes. The longest Boa Boas are a non-native spe-
found on the island was cies and are invasive to the
slightly less than 3 m. New- island, risking the popula-
born Boas average 35 cm. tion of native lizards and
Boas are not venomous but birds. The first Boas were
are what is called constric- reported on the island in
tor snakes; they kill by wrap- 1999. Since that time they
ping themselves around have been found across
a prey and suffocating the entire island in all types
them. The most distinctive of habitats. If you ever en-
feature of a Boa is its pat- counter a Boa, please do
tern of dark brown and tan not approach it. Instead,
blotches which become please call the Arikok Na-
red toward the tail. The bel- tional Park, as they are
ly in white or cream colored experienced in handling
with numerous black spots. Boas.q