Arubian Rattlesnake (Crotalusdurissus unicolor)
The Aruba Rattlesnake or Cascabel (in Papiamento) is a venomous pitviper subspecies found only on Aruba. They are mostly limited to the rocky, dry southern tip of the island. Due to their extremely limited geographic range, about 230 animals left in the wild, and the ever encroaching human habitation into their territory (there is only about 25 square kilometers left undeveloped), the Aruba Island rattlesnake is among the rarest rattlesnakes in the world and listed as critically endangered. Unfortunately, while exporting from the island is illegal, it has no other legal protection on the island either. The snake is now a part of the Species Survival Plan for captive breeding.
Moderately sized, this species attains an adult length of approximately 90 cm, and weighs about one kilogram. It is light brown, tan, or almost pink in color, reflecting the soil color of its native habitat, with darker brown diamond shaped markings but colors may vary from white to apricot, or brown to slate. The markings are sometimes nearly invisible, or only visible in a narrow stripe down the middle of the back.
- Body length: approximately 90 cm
- Weight: approximately 1 kg
- Lifespan: 12-20 years
- Diet: Rodents, birds, lizards
- Incubation: four months
- No. of offspring: 5-15 life young at a time.
