Red Sand Boad

Context:

A report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India has pointed out 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa between the years 2016-2021.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Red Sand Boa
2. Conservation Status

Red Sand Boa

• Belongs to the subfamily Erycinae in the Boidae family.
• Commonly known as the Indian Sand Boa.

Distribution and Behavior

• Non-venomous species found in arid regions across the Indian subcontinent.
• It is ovoviviparous and nocturnal and spends the majority of its time under the ground.
• Endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India.

Physical Characteristics

• Typically reddish-brown, with a robust body averaging around 75 cm in length.
• Unusual Tail: The tail is nearly as thick as the body, creating a distinctive “double-headed” appearance.

Ecological Role

• Contributes to ecosystem balance by regulating prey and predator populations.
• Diet includes rodents, lizards, and even other snakes.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Classified as “Near Threatened.”
• Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Schedule IV).
• Listed in CITES Appendix II.

-Source: The Hindu