#FERNANDINA ISLAND RACER SNAKES SKIN#
#FERNANDINA ISLAND RACER SNAKES SERIES#

Since the establishment of the Galapagos National Park, there have been 13 recorded eruptions on Fernandina, with some of them lasting for several days. Recent eruptions have occurred both in the caldera and on the outer slopes of the volcano, with some of them reaching the sea. The northern floor of the caldera has intermittently held a small lake, whose size, boundaries and position have periodically altered during eruptions. During an explosive eruption in 1968, the caldera collapsed, falling approximately 350 m. Its summit caldera is approximately 6.5 km wide. La Cumbre Volcano is a shield volcano similar to those found in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the most volcanically active and sits at the center of the hot spot that created the Galapagos Islands. GEOLOGY: Fernandina is the westernmost island in the Galapagos Islands, the third largest and youngest of the islands, less than one million years old.

Another important historical event was the discovery and collection in 1906 by Rollo Beck of the California Academy of Sciences Expedition of the only giant tortoise ever found on Fernandina. The most famous of these is the description of a violent eruption in 1825 by Benjamin Morrell, the captain of the New York-based schooner Tartar. Many of the early visitors to the archipelago commented on dramatic changes in the landscape, smoking craters, and actual eruptions.

#FERNANDINA ISLAND RACER SNAKES SERIES#

The island is most famous for its continuing series of volcanic eruptions. Its Spanish name, Fernandina, was given to honor King Fernando of Spain, who sponsored the voyage of Christopher Columbus. He named it Narborough Island in honor of Sir John Narborough, an English naval commander of the 17th century. Although the bite of this snake is harmless, its needle-sharp teeth can cause bleeding and considerable pain.HISTORY: Fernandina Island first appeared on the navigational charts and crude map produced by the British buccaneer Ambrose Cowley in 1684.Black Racers never coil around their prey to suffocate them before devouring them. Although Black Racers share some characteristics common to constrictor snakes, the scientific name ‘ constrictor’ given to this species is a misnomer.The baby Black Racers have a survival rate of around forty percent, which signifies that, generally, only about eight babies get to survive through the first year of their life.The Black Racer cannot become a good pet because it can never get over its nervous disposition. These snakes have also become very uncommon in Michigan. However, the Canadian province of Ontario has given it some legal protection, because of the gradual decrease in its count. This species of snake is pretty much abundant in some places. The IUCN Red List has included this snake under the ‘least concern’ status. The creatures can live up to 10 years both in the wild, as also in captivity. The black racers can often use the same den for many years. The snakes bask outside of the den for weeks beforehand. Their hibernation mostly occurs in rock crevices or old burrows by the hillsides. These snakes hibernate in large numbers and with other species of snakes. Like most other snake species, the black racers hibernate in underground shelters during the coldest winter months (around late October), and emerge in mid-March. The baby Black Racer mostly survives by the process of camouflage. The adult snakes do not feed their babies nor protect them.

During birth, the juvenile Black Racers are 6 inches long. The total number of baby black racers that can take birth at a time is a wide range varying between 3 and 32. Male Black Racers become sexually ready between the age of 1 and 2 years, whereas the female’s age of sexual maturity is between 2 and 3 years. Their breeding season extends from June to early July. The mating season of these serpents is the springtime, mostly between late April and the first half of June.

#FERNANDINA ISLAND RACER SNAKES SKIN#

Moltingīlack Racer snakes usually shed their skin once a year. This speed in locomotion has been particularly possible for their natural smooth skin and scales. Their ability to move a climb at incredible speeds comes handy since they often live in areas with human habitation, and are daytime hunters. When in danger, the snake vibrates its tail in dense grass generating a sound similar to a rattle snake’s rattles. The adults have a characteristic defense mechanism. Because these snakes dwell mostly in grassy or woody areas, they are often found in a curled position, resembling a fallen branch. Baby Black Racers camouflage themselves according to their places of habitat.

Fernandina island racer snakes