Vivariums;reptiles;other pythons 2

3- Sand Boa :

Geographic range

They are found in south southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, north, central, west and east Africa, Arabia, central and southwestern Asia, India, Sri Lanka, southwestern Canada, the western United States, and northwestern Mexico.[2]

Fossil erycines have been found in rock strata over 50 million years old, and were once widespread in North America. Now, only twospecies remain in North America, as well as the sand boas in Africa, Asia, and southeastern Europe.

The Sand Boa inhabits dry grassland in Northeastern Africa and the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula. It burrows through sand and loose soil in search of small mammals and nesting birds. During the hotter times of the year, it seeks refuge beneath stones and in the burrows of small mammals. These snakes spend most of their time in shallow burrows with only their head exposed.

Sand Boa Facts:

• Boa family

• Found in northeastern African and the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula

• Three-foot maximum length

• Very docile

• Females give birth to 15-20 live babies every year

• Eat birds and small animals

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Erycinae are a subfamily of nonvenomous snakes, commonly called boas, found in Europe, Asia Minor, Africa, Arabia, central and southwestern Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and western North America. Three genera comprising 15 species are currently recognized.[1]

Description :

This is a subfamily of stout-bodied snakes, all of which are competent burrowers. The largest, E. johnii, rarely exceeds 120 cm (47 in) in total length (including tail). Most grow to around 60 cm (24 in) in total length. They have small eyes and hard, small scales to protect their skin from the grit of sand. A great deal of sexual dimorphism exists, with females generally becoming much larger than males.

Erycinae

Javelin sand boa, E. jaculus

Scientific classification:

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Subphylum:Vertebrata

Class:Reptilia

Order:Squamata

Suborder:Serpentes

Family:Boidae

Subfamily:Erycinae
Bonaparte, 1831

Synonyms :

Erycina Bonaparte, 1831
Erycidae Bonaparte, 1840
Erycina — Bonaparte, 1840
ErycidesA.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844
Charinidae Cope, 1900
Erycinae Kuhn, 1967
Erycinidae Kuhn, 1967

Kenyan Sand Boa adult breeders

Behavior :

The majority spend much of their time basking below the surface of the sand, with only their eyes or head exposed. When potential prey approaches, they erupt out of the sand, bite, and employ constriction to subdue it.

Feeding

Their primary diet consists of rodents, but they have also been known to prey on lizards and birds.

Reproduction

Otherwise far removed from their boine relatives, they are generally ovoviviparous, i.e., giving birth to live young. At least three species lay eggs, however: the Calabar python,Charina reinhardtii (once regarded as a python for this reason), the Arabian sand boa, Eryx jayakari, and the West African sand boa, E. muelleri.

Smuggling and poaching in India :

The Indian government has failed to protect rare species of sand boa in India. Poaching and smuggling of this creature is very alarming.[3][4][5][6] Most of the smuggled snakes go to the United States, where they are considered very attractive.[7] There is a misconception about their medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties, as well as the belief that keeping this snake as a pet brings wealth and prosperity.[8]