Red sand boa

Eryx johnii
At Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Genus:	Eryx
Species:	E. johnii
Binomial name
Eryx johnii (Russell, 1801)
Synonyms
Boa Johnii Russell, 1801 [Boa] Anguiformis Schneider, 1801 Clothonia anguiformis — Daudin, 1803 [Tortrix] eryx indicus Schlegel, 1837 Clothonia Johnii — Gray, 1842 Eryx Johnii — A.M.C Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Eryx maculatus Hallowell, 1849 Eryx johnii — Boulenger, 1890 Eryx jaculus var. johnii — Ingoldby, 1923 Eryx johnii johnii — Stull, 1935 [Eryx] johnii — Kluge, 1993

Eryx johnii is a nonvenomous boa species endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India. No subspecies are currently recognized.

The specific name, johnii, is in honor of German naturalist (1747–1813), who was a missionary in India from 1771 until his death.

Adults rarely exceed 2 feet (61 cm) in total length (including tail), although they sometimes reach 3 feet (91 cm). Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes. The body is cylindrical in shape with small polished dorsal scales. The tail, which is blunt, rounded, and not distinct from the body, appears truncated. Coloration varies from reddish brown to dull yellow-tan.

E. johnii is found from Iran through Pakistan into western, southern, and northwestern India. The type locality given is "Tranquebar" (Tanjore, Trichy, southeastern Madras, India). and found in Indian desert.

The snake is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills. It prefers loose sand, or sandy soil that crumbles easily. The Indian sand boa which is also called the Eryx John also lives underground.

The diet consists mainly of mammals such as rats, mice, and other small rodents that are killed by constriction. Some specimens have apparently fed exclusively on other snakes.

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Wikipedia