Some weird stuff I found out about Trinidad this week:

• Trinidad has some crazy venomous snakes (remember they have a South American fauna here).
  • BUSH MASTER -Lachesis Muta
    The Bush Master (local name Mapepire `z’ ananna) is the longest Pit Viper in the World. It occasionally exceeds 15 feet. Its rasplike skin is pinkish or light brown with a pattern of dark brown blotches in a triangular pattern. The Bush master is a pipe viper and the only species in the Americas that lay eggs.
    The snake occurs sporadically in forested regions from Costa Rica to Brazil and Trinidad, frequently lurking in mammal burrows. When disturbed, the snake moves toward the intruder, often vibrating its tail rapidly. Its bite is serious because of its long fangs and the large amount of poison released. This snake however requires delicate handling in captivity.
  • FER-DE-LANCE - Bothrups Asper
    The other pit viper/venomous mapepire known in Trinidad is the Fer-de-Lance (local name Mapepire Balsaine). The word Fer-de-Lance means head of the lance (the Fer-de-Lance head is shaped like that of a lance or spear). Its colours are a mixture of light green and greys with a series of white “X” like markings on the back and extend down the side of its body. As its scales are raised, it is not a smooth skinned snake. The Fer-de-Lance moves swiftly and it could strike at a moving object with blinding speed, even in the darkness of night using the loreal pit to target its intended victim.
• They also have some weird foods (like we didn’t know that already). This one is some vegetable called CARALIE (pronounced ka-rye-lee). Nobody can tell me what this is called outside of Trinidad. Supposedly it looks like a light green bumpy cucumber. They core it and slice it and then use it in salads despite its apparently extremely bitter taste. I will see if I can get a picture of this so somebody can help me identify it.
• Not sure this one is a Trinidadian thing, I figure it may be imported but it was fascinating to me - a GRAPPLE. That’s right!! What is it?? Well, it looks like an apple but tastes like a grape. So they say, I have yet to taste it because it was damned expensive but the idea is interesting. How about a BANANGO, or a GUARANGE??