sand boa
Quick Summary
Sand boas are small, burrowing snakes belonging to the genera Eryx or Gongylophis. They are found in the sandy regions of Africa and Asia and are characterized by rough, keeled scales and a blunt tail. Sand boas are a type of boa, which are nonvenomous constricting snakes.12
The subfamily Erycinae, which includes sand boas, consists of live-bearing snakes with stout bodies, blunt heads, and short tails. They typically measure less than 70 cm (28 inches) and are often found in arid and semiarid habitats, where they prey on lizards and small mammals. The term "sand snake" can also refer to sand boas, as well as other genera of snakes found in sandy areas.23
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