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Eryx johnii

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Eryx johnii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid.[3]

Common names include: Indian sand boa,[4] John's sand boa,[5] erutaley nagam,[6] mannoli pambu,[7] red sand boa,[7] and brown sand boa.[8]

Etymology

The specific name, johnii, is in honor of German naturalist Christoph Samuel John (1747–1813), who was a missionary in India from 1771 until his death.[5]

Description

E. johnii

Adults of E. johnii 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.

Geographic range

Eryx johnii is found from Iran through Pakistan into western, southern, and northwestern India. The type locality given is "Tranquebar" (Tanjore, Trichy, southeastern Tamil Nadu, India).[2] and found in Indian desert. In western India, specifically state of Maharashtra, it is known as a Mandul snake (Marathi: मांडूळ साप).

Habitat

Eryx johnii is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills. It prefers loose sand, or sandy soil that crumbles easily, into which it burrows, living underground.

Diet

The diet of E. johnii 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.[9]

Reproduction

Eryx johnii is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to up to 14 young at a time in late summer to monsoon. It is very calm snake species.

Illegal trade

Eryx johnii has many superstitious beliefs attributed to it because of its double-headed appearance, such as bringing good luck, curing AIDS, etc. Such blind faith has resulted in endangering the species, and in illegal trade in India, despite being a protected species under Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, of India.[7]

References

  1. ^ Anderson, S.; Papenfuss, T.; Srinivasulu, C.; Kulkarni, N.U.; Mohapatra, P.; Milto, K.; Bhattarai, S.; Vyas, R.; Ganesh, S.R.; Thakur, S. (2021). "Eryx johnii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T164733A1071806. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T164733A1071806.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. ^ "Eryx johnii ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  4. ^ Mehrtens JM (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
  5. ^ a b Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Eryx johnii, p. 135).
  6. ^ Russell (1801).
  7. ^ a b c "Illegal trade flourishes in red sand boas - Times of India". articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Eryx johnii ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  9. ^ Sights, Warren P. (1949). "Annotated list of reptiles taken in western Bengal". Herpetologica. 5 (4): 81–83.
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Eryx johnii: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Eryx johnii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid.

Common names include: Indian sand boa, John's sand boa, erutaley nagam, mannoli pambu, red sand boa, and brown sand boa.

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cc-by-sa-3.0
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