Antiguan Racer
By: Tanya S
Age: 11
Hyderabad, India
By: Tanya S
Age: 11
Hyderabad, India
The Antiguan Racer is a harmless, non-venomous snake that was recently discovered on Great Bird Island in Antigua. It is also one of the most endangered species of snakes in the world. The females are silvery grey with brown blotches or stripes while the males are dark brown with creamy blotches. The main meal to an adult racer is anole lizards and a few of its predators are rats and mongooses. These reptiles generally inhabit dense forests with many leaves to take refuge under. One of the reasons this reptile is decreasing in terms of population is the increase of their predators and deliberate killing. Also, after the fast descent of the species in the 20th century, the recent hurricane George wiped out most of the remaining survivors and only about a 100 remain. In 1995, there was an organization created to save these snakes, it is called Antiguan Racer Conservation Project (ARCP). This NGO has used many techniques in hope of saving these snakes. They have spread awareness and educated many, restored its habitat, and a lifetime of research to save these snakes. Dr. Jenny Daltry who has contributed many hours to the Conservation Project and without her the species would now be extinct. Many snakes are misunderstood and we think that they will try to kill humans and harm humans in any way possible. Many of us are even told that when you see a snake, immediately kill it. There are only 600 out of 3000 snakes in the world that are venomous. Many of which inhibit secluded Islands and others that are near extinction. There are three things that one should remember about a snake. 1) It does not want to hurt you, it simply wants to get back to its natural habitat. 2) Never handle a snake unless you have experience handling them. 3) Not all snakes are venomous.
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