Sistan Sand Boa: Scientists New Desert Snake Species Found in Rajasthan's

The new scientific study found the record of the Sistan Sand Boa ( Eryx Sistanensis) from the northern Thar Desert of  Rajasthan.  It was previously the first record in India in 2020, but this is the first time a scientist confirmed the record of the Sistan sand boa in India.

The Sistan sand boa is previously known as the deserts of Iran and Pakistan but this time, researchers documented three live species from the northern Thar desert in Rajasthan, India. 

Now India has four species of Sand boa in India including the Red sand boa (Eryx johnii), rough-scaled sand boa(Eryx) and Whitaker’s boa (Eryx whitakeri). 

The Sistan sand boa resembles the red sand boa but it can be distinguished from the red sand boa by identifying its persistent dark bands and a tail that gradually tapers towards the tip. 

The Sistan sand boa retains its sooty bands throughout life unlike the red sand boas who loses their body bands as they mature. The juveniles of the Sistan sand boa are buff-colored while subadults and adults are tan to tan-brown. 

Key facts about Sand Boas

• The Sand Boa has not been listed under the IUCN list, but is listed under Schedule II of India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972. 

• Sand Boas prefer dry, sandy and loose soil environments that support their underground habitat.

• They spend most of their time underground, buried just below the surface in sandy areas and expose only their eyes and nostrils.

• Sand boas' body colour is pale yellow to reddish brown but it generally depends on the soil types and the colour of the region.

• Sand boas are famous for displaying a mottled or blotched pattern that blends perfectly with their sandy and pebbly surroundings and thus is known as protective coloration.