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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Indian sand boa, Eryx johnii, is a nonvenomous snake species indigenous to south and western Asia. This sand boa is found across Iran, Pakistan, and southern, northwestern, and western India. It is also commonly known as John's sand boa, Mannoli pambu, Erutaley nagam, brown sand boa, and red sand boa. This rare boa is commonly referred to as the Mandul snake in Maharashtra, a state in western India. It inhabits rocky dry foothills and dry, semi-desert scrub plains and is adapted to burrowing. It is also known as a two-headed snake as its rounded tail looks similar to its head!
The body of this sand boa is cylindrical-shaped and has polished small dorsal scales. It can have a dull-yellow to reddish-brown coloration and it has small eyes and narrow nostrils on its wedge-shaped head. It has a short, rounded, blunt tail, similar to its body. It is a carnivorous creature whose diet comprises snakes and mammals like mice, rats, and small rodents. This two-headed snake faces significant threats due to its distinct appearance. There are many superstitious beliefs attributed to this snake that causes a high level of illegal trade in India to procure it. Currently, this species of sand boa has not been evaluated by the IUCN. Keep reading to dig deeper into the world of this reptile and learn exciting facts about its behavior, breeding, habitat, and more!
If you found our facts about the Indian sand boa exhilarating, you must read our emerald tree boa fun facts and boa constrictor facts for kids!
The Indian sand boa, Eryx johnii, is a type of snake. It is a species of sand boa that is adapted to burrowing below the surface of the sand. It is a nocturnal snake (active at night) that occurs across Iran, Pakistan, and southern, northwestern, and western India.
The red sand boa (Eryx johnii) belongs to the class Reptilia, like all other boas.
The exact population of the red sand boa reptile is currently unavailable. However, we do know that their population is threatened due to illegal trade practices in its regions of occurrence.
This sand boa is found across Iran, Pakistan, and southern, northwestern, and western India. It inhabits rocky dry foothills and dry, semi-desert scrub plains and is adapted to burrowing. It is also known to live in the burrows of other animals
The red sand boa, Eryx johnii, lives underground mostly. It is known to bask underneath the sand's surface for the majority of the day. Only its head and eyes are partially visible outside, looking out and waiting patiently for potential prey. It emerges out from the ground in the summer season to sunbathe from early to morning until late afternoon.
Like all other sand boas, this snake is a solitary creature that only socializes to breed.
The lifespan of this sand boa is similar to other sand boas. It can live for 14-20 years.
Indian sand boas are ovoviviparous, and up to 14 young can be in one litter from an adult female Indian sand boa. The young of these sand boas do not receive any nourishment or care from the adults and are completely independent from birth.
Red sand boas have not been evaluated by the IUCN yet. They are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Their rounded tail looks like their head, making it seem like the snake has two heads. This has resulted in numerous beliefs attributed to these snakes. They are illegally traded for a variety of reasons, like their skin, to attract good luck, and even to cure diseases.
The body of this sand boa species is cylindrical-shaped and has polished small dorsal scales. It can have a dull-yellow to reddish-brown coloration. It has small eyes and narrow nostrils on a wedge-shaped head. It has a short rounded and blunt tail. This tail looks similar to the head, giving this snake a double-headed appearance. There are small, hard scales present on its body to protect the skin of this snake from sand's grit.
These creatures have a unique appearance that can look scary at first sight, mainly due to their blunt and rounded tail looking like their second head! They are, however, peaceful and calm reptiles that are famous in the exotic pet trade.
These sand boas communicate via chemicals called pheromones. They are also known to twitch, jerk, and touch to communicate.
The average Indian sand boa size is medium when compared to other snakes. Adults range between 1-2 ft (30.4-61 cm) in length. Their range is similar to the adult smooth green snake's length range!
The speed of the Indian sand boa is not known yet. However, sand boas are known to move very slowly at a speed of 1 mph (1.6 kph)!
The weight of adults ranges between 5.5-6 lb (2.5-2.7 kg).
There are no particular names for male and female snakes.
The young of the red sand boa can be referred to as a snakelet.
The diet of these snakes comprises snakes and mammals like mice, rats, and small rodents. Their prey preference helps in reducing the populations of mice and rats in nearby towns and farms. Their predators are not known yet. However, we do know that Kenyan sand boas are preyed upon by desert monitor lizards.
No, these snakes are not poisonous.
Yes, for some reptile lovers, this snake will make a great pet. Indian sand boa care is relatively easy if you have researched the needs of this snake properly. Its enclosure must comprise loads of sandy substrate as it burrows in its natural habitat. This snake burrows in loose sand to hide, so therefore, there must be many places for it to hide in its cage.
The 'johnii' part of their binomial name is in honor of Christoph Samuel John, who was a German naturalist.
The typical Indian sand boa temperament is peaceful and calm, which is why it is availably commonly in the exotic pet trade. It isn't aggressive but it can bite.
These sand boas are assumed to have two heads. Their tail is rounded and blunt which makes it look like it's two-headed. Without proper documents, these creatures cannot be owned. This makes it very tough for people to procure it, thus their price rises. These snakes are utilized in the making of cosmetics and medicines too! Due to their huge demand, a red sand boa snake can have a whopping cost of $335,382 in India. They are not illegal here, but ther
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our cottonmouth snake surprising facts and copperhead snake facts for kids pages!
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable sand boa coloring pages!
<p>A background in Business Administration and Management from MCM DAV College, Rhea has led her to work for her father's global business. However, her passion for content production, where she manages operations to ensure all processes run smoothly. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the piano and spending time with her one-year-old nephew.</p>
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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