Crotalus unicolor

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Crotalus unicolor, commonly known as the Aruba island rattlesnake or Aruba rattlesnake (Cascabel in Papiamento), is a venomous pit viper found only on the Caribbean island of Aruba. Some scientists classify it as a subspecies of Crotalus durissus.

Description: It grows to about 90 cm (35 inches) long and weighs around 1 kg (2.2 lb). It is light brown, tan, or pinkish in color, with darker brown diamond-shaped markings. The pattern can be faint or a narrow stripe down the back.

Geographic range and habitat: It is endemic to Aruba and lives in thornscrub and desert areas on the island’s southeastern half. About 230 individuals remain in the wild, with only about 25 square kilometers of habitat still undeveloped.

Conservation: Export from Aruba is illegal. The Aruba island rattlesnake has limited protection on the island and is included in an international Species Survival Plan for captive breeding.

Diet: It eats rodents, birds, and lizards.

Reproduction: Males reach sexual maturity around 4 years old; females around 5. After about four months of gestation, females give birth to 5–15 live young.