The Arabian sand boa is a docile subspecies of Saharan sand boas that doesn’t put up much effort in pursuit of its prey. It not only has a “derpy” appearance, but it also behaves in a derpy manner.
The Arabian sand boa is widely distributed and quite abundant across its area, however there is no data on its total population size, per the IUCN.
The population of this species is constant at now, earning it a classification of “Least Concern” (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Keep reading to find out more!
How Do I Describe an Arabian Sand Boa?
The Arabian sand boa is a small, harmless snake found naturally only in the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. The eyes of this creature are tiny and set high on its blunt, wedge-shaped head.
This snake has a color scheme that ranges from a yellowish-grey to a sandy-brown, and it is often marked with dark transverse bands and white speckles.
The whole length of an adult Arabian sand boa is around 38 centimeters (15 inches). Because of how close together their eyes are, they give the impression of a scaly finger with googly eyes affixed to the tip.
In addition, their eyes are situated at the very pinnacle of their skulls. The explanation for this is not difficult to deduce.
Their tiny eyes are located on top of their heads, allowing them to observe their surroundings even while concealed in the sand.
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How Do I Describe the Behaviour of the Arabian Sand Boa?
Solitary behavior is typical for Arabian sand boas. They like the nighttime hours and can adapt to many climates. They spend the day burrowed under the sand and emerge at night.
They wait just below the surface, protruding only their eyes, ready to pounce on any passing little creature with a sideways flick of their head.
What Makes Up the Diet of the Arabian Sand Boa?
- Geckos
- Worm lizards
Where Is the Habitat Of the Arabian Sand Boa?
The primary environments where you will find the Arabian sand boa are deserts in:
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Iran
- Iraq
- United Arab Emirates
Because of how well suited they are to desert conditions, you’ll most often find them in desert environments.
It is also found in Yemen and Kuwait due to its Arabian peninsula origin. You can find them in the homes of snake lovers and at zoos (particularly those with a reptile specialty).
Sand boas are considered so derpy that many people keep them as pets. They are common in domestic vivariums around the world.
Khuzestan Province, Bushehr Province, and Kerman Province have each yielded a handful of specimens. These snakes like sandy or loose desert soil for their digging needs.
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How Does Mating Occur In the Arabian Sand Boa?
Female Arabian sand boas deposit a small clutch of 4-7 eggs rather than giving birth to live young like most boas.
At a temperature of 33 °C (91 °F), the incubation period lasts around 66 days, following which the eggs hatch. The Arabian sand boa is unique among boa species because it is oviparous (it lays eggs).
The fact that most boas have live births to their young is fascinating in and of itself.
The eggs of female sand boas, which can number anywhere from four to twelve, hatch in about two months if kept at a warm temperature.
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Conclusion
Many people mistakenly believe that boas found in Arabia lay their eggs through their lips. However, they have a cloaca—a tiny opening beneath the tail—through which they deposit their eggs.
The Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari) is a member of the snake family Boidae. It is sometimes known as Jayakar’s sand boa.
The species is unique to the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, where it lives underground during the day. Please do well to reach out to us via the comment section for more info!
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