Eryx johnii

Eryx johnii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is native to Iran, Pakistan, and India. There are no subspecies which are recognized as being valid.^[3]

Eryx johnii
Eryx johnii at Satara, Maharashtra, India Eryx johnii (juvenile) at Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India Eryx johnii (juvenile) at Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India Dorsal view of juvenile Eryx johnii
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Boidae
Genus:	Eryx
Species:	E. johnii
Binomial name
Eryx johnii (Russell, 1801)
Synonyms[2]
Boa Johnii Russell, 1801 [Boa] Anguiformis Schneider, 1801 Clothonia anguiformis — Daudin, 1803 [Tortrix] eryx indicus Schlegel, 1837 Clothonia Johnii — Gray, 1842 Eryx Johnii — A.M.C Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Eryx maculatus Hallowell, 1849 Eryx johnii — Boulenger, 1890 Eryx jaculus var. johnii — Ingoldby, 1923 Eryx johnii johnii — Stull, 1935 [Eryx] johnii — Kluge, 1993

Common names include: Indian sand boa,^[4] John's sand boa,^[5] iruthalai nagam,^[6] mannuli pambu,^[7] red sand boa,^[7] and brown sand boa.^[8]

Etymology

The specific name, johnii, is in honor of German naturalist Christoph Samuel John (1747–1813), who was a missionary in India from 1771 until his death.^[5]

Description

Eryx johnii, closeup of head

Adults of E. johnii rarely exceed 2 feet (61 cm) in total length (including tail), although they sometimes reach 3 feet (91 cm). Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes. The body is cylindrical in shape with small polished dorsal scales. The tail, which is blunt, rounded, and not distinct from the body, appears truncated. Coloration varies from reddish brown to dull yellow-tan.^{[citation needed]}

Geographic range

E. johnii is found from Iran through Pakistan into western, southern, and northwestern India. The type locality given is "Tranquebar" (Tanjore, Trichy, southeastern Tamil Nadu, India).^[2] It is found in Indian desert. In western India, specifically in the state of Maharashtra, it is known as a Mandul snake (Marathi: मांडूळ साप).^{[citation needed]}

Habitat

E. johnii is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills up to 200 m (660 ft) elevation. It prefers loose sand, or sandy soil that crumbles easily, into which it burrows, living underground.^[1]

Diet

The diet of E. johnii consists mainly of mammals such as rats, mice, and other small rodents that are killed by constriction. Some specimens have apparently fed exclusively on other snakes.^[9]

Behavior

E. johnii is a very calm snake species.^{[citation needed]}

Reproduction

E. johnii is ovoviviparous,^[8] with females giving birth to up to 14 young at a time in late summer to monsoon.^[1]

Illegal trade

E. johnii has many superstitious beliefs attributed to it because of its double-headed appearance, such as bringing good luck, curing AIDS, etc. Such blind faith has resulted in endangering the species, and in illegal trade in India, despite being a protected species under Schedule IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, of India.^[7] It is also banned in India as pets.