No longer the world's rarest snake
Antiguan racers are endemic to the twin-island country of Antigua and Barbuda. Following the introduction of invasive rats and mongooses in the 1800s, the species suffered a drastic decline. By 1995, only around 50 of these snakes survived on just one offshore islet.
Happily, following work by Fauna & Flora and partners to eradicate the alien species and reintroduce the snakes to other offshore islands cleared of invasive predators, the population and range of the Antiguan racer has increased to over 1,100 individuals spread across four separate sites.
Fascinating facts about Antiguan racers
Antiguan racer and prey. © John Cancalosi / Fauna & Flora
Not so fast!
Despite their name, Antiguan racers are actually rather slow and rely on ambush to catch their lizard prey.
Male and female Antiguan racer. © Mark Day / Fauna & Flora
Sexual dimorphism
The Antiguan racer is one of very few snakes in which males can be distinguished from females by their colour.
Transponder for racer snake radio-tracking. © Mark Day / Fauna & Flora
In the early days of the project, a number of Antiguan racers were fitted with a transponder to enable conservationists to track their movements and relocate them more easily.
Where do Antiguan racers live?
Antiguan racers used to be the top predators throughout Antigua and Barbuda until small Asian mongooses were introduced in the 1890s to control invasive black rats that were damaging European plantation sugar cane crops. The mongooses had little impact on the rats, and preyed on native species instead, wiping out most Antiguan racers. The species was declared extinct in the 1930s, but a few survived on Great Bird Island, an 8.4-hectare cay that had luckily remained mongoose free.
In partnership with other national and international organisations, Fauna & Flora helped to remove the rats and other harmful invasive alien species from Great Bird Island and a further 14 islands around Antigua, before reintroducing Antiguan racers to three of these: Rabbit, Green and York islands.
Antiguan racer in habitat. © Jeremy Holden / Fauna & Flora
A female Antiguan racer in typical habitat on Great Bird Island.
How many Antiguan racers are left?
Dubbed the ‘world’s rarest snake’ in 1995, when only 50 individuals remained, the Antiguan racer has been making a steady comeback with help from Fauna & Flora and partners. Today, the population in the wild exceeds 1,100 individuals, a 22-fold increase since conservation efforts began.
Male Antiguan racer. © Jenny Daltry / Fauna & Flora
A male Antiguan racer.
What are the main threats to the Antiguan racer?
Although good progress has been made, the Antiguan racer and its habitat remain at constant risk, due to the rising numbers of visitors to the offshore islands where it lives, as well as the chronic threat from alien invasive species and coastal development.
How can we help save the Antiguan racer?
Fauna & Flora has been integral to the Antiguan racer’s remarkable recovery, and to this day we continue to support efforts to monitor for signs of rats reinvading the islands we have cleared.
Many other species have also benefited from this work, not least bird colonies on islands cleared of invasive predators – some of which have increased more than 30-fold! Species that have begun to thrive again include many regional rarities, such as the West Indian whistling duck and Caribbean brown pelican.
Snakes are often difficult to conserve due to negative public perceptions, but through education campaigns and awareness-raising, the Antiguan racer has become an unusual flagship species for conservation in Antigua and Barbuda. The snake now features prominently in the national environmental education curriculum. Many Antiguans and Barbudans have become justifiably proud of their unique snake and its unique island ecosystem.
We are also applying the lessons we have learned here more widely across the Caribbean, and hope to replicate this success with the Saint Lucia racer, which has taken on the Antiguan racer’s unwelcome mantle as the world’s rarest snake.
Antiguan racer conservation. © Mark Day / Fauna & Flora
McRonnie Henry, former head of the Antiguan Forestry Unit, holding an Antiguan racer.
The Antiguan Racer Conservation Project began in 1995, when Fauna & Flora responded to a call for help from Antiguan naturalist Kevel Lindsay. Incredibly, some conservationists advised us against intervention, because the snake was too rare and unpopular. I am so glad we have proved the doubters wrong, and helped to turn the fortunes of this unique and lovely animal.
Dr Jenny Daltry
Caribbean Alliance Director (Re:wild / Fauna & Flora)
The Antiguan Racer Conservation Project began in 1995, when Fauna & Flora responded to a call for help from Antiguan naturalist Kevel Lindsay. Incredibly, some conservationists advised us against intervention, because the snake was too rare and unpopular. I am so glad we have proved the doubters wrong, and helped to turn the fortunes of this unique and lovely animal.
Dr Jenny Daltry
Caribbean Alliance Director (Re:wild / Fauna & Flora)
Saving racers
The introduction of alien species to the Caribbean has wrought havoc, pushing many of the region’s native species to the very brink of extinction. But there is still hope, as the Antiguan racer success story shows.
Please support Fauna & Flora today to help us save other threatened Caribbean species before it’s too late.
Donate todayAntiguan racer. © Fauna & Flora