2 days later, the Tortuga sits on a beach in Cancua, in the northeastern corner of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. They've stopped here to rest for a few days, but Chris and Martin said that there is one more snake they want to see before leaving.
They said it was a rattlesnake, but they claimed this particular species is completely different from the Western Diamondbacks they've in the Sonoran Desert.
This species is a jungle-dweller, and one of the last great serpents. And one of Mexico's most legendary serpents that's been revered in the country's culture for centuries.
The Tzabcan Rattlesnake.
And while looking around Cancua, they've seen a few areas with rattlesnake pictures that represent the Tzabcan.
Of all of the over 100 species of snake that call Mexico home, the Tzabcan is the deadliest.
So powerful, it's even worshiped as a God.
At the moment, they were all exploring a temple ruin. And there were snake cravings everywhere, and in Chichen Itza the Mayans worshiped and honored snakes for 4,000 years. But the king of snakes here is the rattlesnake, and they even saw craving structures that look like the tail of rattlesnakes. It was no question that the Tzabcan was given the same honor as well.
Later that night, they were looking at some photos of Tzabcans in textbooks of Mexican snakes.
"Would be cool to see one of these guys." Chris said.
"Yeah, a legendary snake of Mexico." Martin said.
In fact, even Aviva is interested in seeing this sacred serpent. And the Tzabcan has been part of Spanish culture for many centuries. And even has heard stories of them as a little girl.
And soon, they went to bed for the night.
Because tomorrow, their new adventure begins.
In search of the legendary Tzabcan.
The next day, Chris, Martin and Aviva were on their Buzzbikes flying through the forest in search of the Tzabcan.
Eventually, some parts of the trees got too dense for them. And were soon traveling on foot.
And eventually, they came across a sinkhole. Sinkholes are known to be across the Yucatan Peninsula. And most lead to an underground waterway. In the Yucatan, they are actually called Cenotes.
So they decided to have a look down there, and soon tied a rope to a tree. And soon reached the bottom.
"So, these sinkholes are actually all over this region?" Aviva asked.
"Yeah, all over here." Chris said, and he brings out a holographic screen of the Yucatan Peninsula map showing the sinkholes.
"But you know, I always wonder about that C shaped in the western corner of it." Martin gestured to the west corner of the land strip.
"Let's worry about that later." Chris suggested. "Let's see where this tunnel goes."
They soon found that the cave has a water source. And seeing no other way, they brought their masks out and on and dove under and followed the river system to see where it goes.
Underneath, it was like swimming in another world, it was so astonishingly clear it was almost like it's not there.
"This is amazing." Aviva said in awe.
"Yeah, almost like another world down here." Martin said.
Soon after a few minutes, they surfaced at a new cave. But they soon found they weren't alone.
""Hey, look!" Chris called to them.
Close by to them, was a Boa Constrictor and it swam by close to them. It's likely down in this cave feeding on the bats here. So that means there's a way out of this cave.
And eventually, the 3 found their way out after the help of following a Terrapin turtle. And they've come out of a different cave.
The next day, they wander through the forest at early morning hoping to come across a Tzabcan basking.
But eventually, a colorful object caught their attention. And next to a log, was a Coral Snake.
It's hard to imagine that a Coral Snake is a relative to the cobra, but they are. Front-fanged snakes include Coral Snakes, Cobras, Kraits and Mambas, and they are very deadly with neurotoxic venom.
In fact, the venom in a King Cobra is capable of bringing down even an Elephant.
They watched the Coral Snake for a minute, and soon it slithers under the log near it.
Later as the day went on, it was getting too hot for snakes. And they were keeping an eye out, for both snakes and sinkholes. If they're not too careful, one could slip and fall into one of the sinkholes that cover the area.
But later that day, the only thing they came across was the Coral Snake and a Tarantula.
The next morning, they were all out to help find the Tzabcan. And surprisingly, Amber's and Tyrana's senses of smell seem to be already in action only now 2.5 weeks old.
And already, they managed to save the team from nearly falling over a sinkhole or 2 by wandering a few feet ahead of them.
Soon the forest suddenly came to life with a loud growling sound. They looked up and saw a group of Howler Monkeys.
"Wow, these guys are loud." Koki said.
"Yeah, Howler Monkeys are some of the loudest animals." Martin said. "You hear their calls 3 miles away."
"Wow, and I thought the Proboscis Monkeys were loud." Jimmy said, amazed.
They continued through the forest as the monkeys continued howling. One might even think it is like the giant ape, King Kong.
And soon, they climbed up what appears to be an old section of temple ruins. And they got to the top and found a clan of several Howlers, and one was a mother with a baby clinging to her back.
And soon, Chris and Martin realized that temples like this one are a good place for snakes to hide. Plenty of shade from the sun, and a good ambush sight for hunting.
And they all spread at a different part of the temple to see what they can find.
As the day grew, Martin and Amber searched over at a section with some shade. And soon came to a corner, and luckily Martin has some snake tongs ready when needed.
Martin took a step up a ridge, and looked around. But then a movement caught his attention, and he then saw a familiar diamondback pattern with a pale yellowish color. Leaning forward a little, he then noticed the distinctive line marking on the snake's neck.
It was then that Martin realized it's a Tzabcan Rattlesnake.
Using his tongs, he carefully slowly grabs the snake out and begins to head out for a more open area and call the others.
Luckily for Martin, The Tzabcan is behaving at the moment. And he's not even rattling.
A few minutes later, Martin found an area at the bottom of the temple steps. And soon contacted the others.
As soon as they arrived, they were completely amazed by this legendary serpent.
"Wow, the famous Tzabcan." Chris said in awe.
"Whoa, he's amazing." Aviva said, astonished by him.
"Notice how the snake's back is mostly raised up." Chris said, gesturing to the snake's back.
"Aren't other rattlesnakes mostly round and flatten?" Koki asked.
"Yeah." Martin replied. "The Tzabcan is different, almost triangular."
But the most amazing thing is he was so relaxed from though being pulled from a cool area. That Martin is able to handle him gently.
But they know that he could lunge at any moment.
"This is such a rare snake." Martin said. "I'm gonna call him... Sacred Fang."
Eventually, they were so amazed by this legendary snake. That they got a few photos of him.
"Hey, I wonder what Tzabcan Powers are like." Chris said.
"Well, we have the Western Diamondback version of the Power Suit." Martin said, bringing out his Rattlesnake Power Disc. "And they're close relatives. We should be able to activate Tzabcan Power."
"Let's try it." Chris said.
And he then brought his Rattlesnake Disc, and then inserts them into their suits. And they soon touched Sacred Fang by the tail, and then activated into the Tzabcan version of the Rattlesnake Power Suit.
Similar to the Western Diamondback version, but with the 2 line markings on the necks. To what a Tzabcan has.
"Now this is cool!" Martin beamed.
"Hey, get a picture of us with this guy." Chris said.
Chris and Martin soon got next to Sacred Fang, and Aviva soon readies her Creaturepod.
"Say... Scales." Aviva said.
"Scales!" The 2 brothers said.
And then Aviva took a picture of them.
Later towards night, they were looking at the photos they got from Sacred Fang.
"That is an amazing snake." Koki said.
"Yeah, he's actually cool." Jimmy said.
"You know, I'm still wondering about that area of sinkholes in the circular shape west of us." Aviva said.
And then the big screen showed the map of sinkholes with the circular shape. Almost like a ring and near complete circle.
"Huh, it's almost a ring." Chris said. "And the other half is underwater."
"Hey, that area of water actually holds something more." Koki said, looking at her computer. "It's almost like a crater."
"Like a meteor?" Jimmy wondered.
"Yeah, and it's huge." Koki added. "About 180 miles across."
"How big would a meteor be to make a crater of that size?" Aviva asked.
"About 6 miles across." Koki said. "And the rock shows when it struck. 65 million years ago."
"Hey, that's when the Dinosaurs disappeared." Chris stated.
"So these sinkholes are actually connected to the crater, made by the meteor that killed the Dinosaurs." Martin said.
"I'd hate to be around that day." Jimmy said.
"Well, it was a long time ago." Chris said.
"Over 70% of life died out." Martin said.
"And the impact force is equal to 100 million Atomic Bombs." Aviva said at her station measuring the results. "And was at a 30 degree angle."
"Sure was a sad day for them." Chris said.
"Well, in some way the impact was good for other things." Martin said. "I mean, the Mammals we know probably wouldn't exist right now. Not even us maybe."
"At least the dinosaurs are around in a way, as birds." Koki said.
"Yeah, the raptors or birds of prey." Martin said.
"And several dinosaurs are brought back to life." Chris said.
"Well, it's getting late." Aviva said. "Let's get to bed."
And soon they went to bed and the lights went out.
Author's Note:
Well, that's all with the snakes, and snake adventures, for now. But, man, do I love 'em.