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Rough-Scaled Sand Boa Common Name: Rough-Scaled Sand Boa Scientific Name: Eryx conicus Information Sheet - Rough-Scaled Sand Boa
Description:Rough-Scaled Sand Boas achieve a length of ninety-nine centimeters on reaching adulthood. Their head is covered with miniscule scales. They have tiny eyes and vertically oriented pupils. A short, blunt, prehensile tail marks its end. As far as coloration goes, they are a shade of either tan or grey, dorsally. Down their backs, they have a zigzag pattern of connected reddish brown markings. They have an estimated life span of twenty years. In the wild, they prefer lizards and small rodentsGeographic Range:The Rough-Scaled Sand Boa is inhabits eastern Pakistan Iran, Afghanistan, India and the arid regions of northern Sri Lanka. They were a mainstay of exports to Europe, primarily for pet trade.Habitat:They prefer sandy tracts and arid grassland, though they are comfortable in cultivated areas, wet forests and dry steppes. Behavior:This snake keeps to itself and likes living in seclusion. In the snake world, it is the quintessential hermit. Its fossorial nature shows as they burrow as they spend most of their time in the soil. Their hunting mode is quite interesting. Only their nostrils and eyes venture to ground level, killing unsuspecting prey by constriction. They are inactive during both very cold and extremely dry weather conditions.Reproduction:This species attains sexual maturity at between three and four years of age. Being ovoviviparous, females give birth to live young, four to thirteen per litter. The breeding season occurs from February to April.Captivity:The Rough-Scaled Sand Boa is one of the most common species in captivity. They are a favorite with snake charmers. Adults are docile and easy to handle, though juveniles bite quite hard. Neonates will be happy on a diet of pinky mice and on fuzzy mice, while adults will thrive on adult mice. They require a humidity level of 60% otherwise; they develop shedding problems. |
