While the Forest Department of Kerala has managed to apprehend the low level suppliers, nabbing those at the top of the smuggling racket is proving to be tough. Image of closeup, brown, outdoors - 57071724 Golden brown color and slow speeded this snake is known by the name of Red Sand Boa. Red sand boa’s prices go up to Rs 1.5 crore in the international market. It is one of the most peaceful snake species known as the Indian red sand boa. Found in all the five south Indian states, these snakes have a market in China and several South East Asian countries and West Asia. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). It is nearly impossible to find the final buyers because there are loads of middlemen,” Abraham told TNM. Their heads are quite small and somewhat pointed to aid in burrowing behavior. It is said that they are used for medicines abroad. In 2009 two red sand boas were stolen from Thiruvananthapuram zoo, but no such incident has been reported from zoos in the state since. In some Gulf countries it is believed that the blood of the snake has aphrodisiac properties while other extracts are used in cosmetics. They arrange these snakes for poojas. The body is cylindrical in shape with small polished dorsal scales. Depending on it's intended use and its size, the snake can fetch illegal traders … Otherwise, the state sees an average of 7 -10 red sand boa smuggling cases. Although the Kenyan sand Boa will burrow and hide beneath the ground, you should also get them snake a hide. two head snake written by alwyn26 There are no subspecies which are recognized as valid. The colors and patterns of this snake are quite interesting, and you’ll never get tired of looking at them. Prefers living underground during daytime. Eryx johnii is found in dry, semi-desert scrub plains and rocky dry foothills. The non-venomous Red Sand Boa is popularly known as a two-headed snake and has several superstitions associated with it. [3], Common names include: Indian sand boa,[4] John's sand boa,[5] erutaley nagam,[6] mannoli pambu,[7] red sand boa,[7] brown sand boa. The price of this snake in black market is more than even BMW X 6 and Mercedez Benz X Class. The people we arrest are usually middlemen and have no idea where these snakes are taken. It is sought in China and other south-east Asian countries for its supposedly aphrodisiac properties. To camouflage with their sandy environment, most species have brown or tan scales. Some specimens have apparently fed exclusively on other snakes.[9]. The non-poisonous snake has a … Keep in mind, they’re nocturnal and love to burrow. Any of them will do just fine. “One would cost around Rs 20 lakhs to even Rs 1 crore. The type locality given is "Tranquebar" (Tanjore, Trichy, southeastern Tamil Nadu, India). The bigger ones fetch more. Photo about Indian red sand boa snake in jungle. Coloration varies from reddish brown to dull yellow-tan. The species is endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India. In some Gulf countries it is believed that the blood of the snake has aphrodisiac properties while other extracts are used in cosmetics. Forest department officials said the demand was driven by blind faith that the non-venomous snake--which has a thick tail giving it the appearance of having two heads--was useful for black magic and locating hidden treasures. “Snakes which weigh more are generally hunted, not the smaller ones. Common names: Old World sand boas The Erycinae are a subfamily of nonvenomous snakes in the family Boidae. Last week’s arrest too, followed the pattern. “We have not yet caught the final dealers. [2] and found in Indian desert. If you approach a Kenyan sand boa from above, near the front third of its body, it may assume you are food and strike at you. They hide their whole body in the sand and just stick their head out. Eryx johnii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. Erycines are live-bearers (as opposed to egg layers) that have stout cylindrical bodies, blunt heads, and short tails. Eryx johnii is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to up to 14 young at a time in late summer to monsoon. It is a nocturnal species (active during night) and measures up to 3 feet. HABITAT: Found in areas with loose and Sandy soil as it prefers burrowing. Other illegal uses of the snake's skin are in cosmetics and in making of purses, handbags, and jackets. DIET: It uses constrictions to suffocate prey.… Pick a Kenyan sand boa up from the middle of its body, giving the snake a chance to realize that it’s not dinnertime. You may think of very large snakes when you hear the term “boa” however, females rarely exceed 3 feet, while males are even smaller as adults, at around 2 1/2 feet. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-22/coimbatore/35301434_1_red-sand-boas-snake-coimbatore-zoo, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eryx_johnii&oldid=997830384, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 January 2021, at 12:37. Most measure less than 70 cm (28 inches).… A rare red sand boa snake, protected under Wildlife Protection Act, has been recovered from three smugglers in Uttar Pradesh. Sand Boas have various uses and hold significance mainly because of the myth and belief surrounding them. Smooth Sand Boa, Smooth-scaled Sand Boa, Brown Sand Boa,Red Sand Boa, John's Earth Snake, Two-headed Snake, Black EarthBoa Eryx johnii has many superstitious beliefs attributed to it because of its double-headed appearance, such as bringing good luck, curing AIDS, etc. But trade of the snake in India and smuggling it outside the country are both common. A bite from a Kenyan sand boa is no more severe than a scratch from a housecat, to put it into perspective, but it can still be … The arrest of six people in Kerala’s Kottayam district on charges of smuggling the red sand boa, is a breakthrough, but unlikely to make much of a dent in putting an end to the illegal trade. As per a … Eryx johnii is found from Iran through Pakistan into western, southern, and northwestern India. Photo about Indian red sand boa snake in jungle. Sachi Ghatna: Red sand boa snake connection with black money By: ABP News Bureau Updated: 23 December 2016, 9:33 PM (IST) Red sand boa snake connection with black money. The snake, anciently believed to … The diet of E. johnii consists mainly of mammals such as rats, mice, and other small rodents that are killed by constriction. Malaysian superstition also believes the red boa brings good luck. Adults of E. johnii rarely exceed 2 feet (61 cm) in total length (including tail), although they sometimes reach 3 feet (91 cm). Explore all information & updates about red sand boa snake online at telugu.asianetnews.com It is believed that the Sand Boa snake … The snake is thought to cure asthma, rheumatism, erectile dysfunction and joint pain among other ailments. red sand boa snake News: Find latest news, video & photos on red sand boa snake. Abraham says that the prices the reptiles fetch depend on the size. It prefers loose sand, or sandy soil that crumbles easily, into which it burrows, living underground. This species is also very easy to keep. Species of the subfamily Erycinae are found in Europe, Asia Minor, Africa, Arabia, central and southwestern Asia, India, Sri Lanka, and western North America.Three genera comprising 15 species are currently recognized as being valid. Although they often come out at night … Bengaluru: The Mahalakshmi Layout police on Sunday arrested three people who were trying to sell two-headed red sand boa snake and a fake 'Nagamani'. Two is even better, so that they can have one on the warmer side and one on the cooler side of the enclosure. This is the reason it is in very much demand in the Indian market. Smuggling of the snakes is rampant as it is believed that they can confer supernatural powers, or that the iridium content in the snakes has the power to cure chronic diseases. Lets read about few facts about this snake. With only a few potential drawbacks and their easy nature, I would definitely consider these sand boas a beginner snake. [8], 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]. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. “Earlier they were mainly smuggled abroad, but now even people here use it,” he said. Show us some love! With a huge demand for its skin, each snake is traded for Rs 5-10 lakh in the local market. These snakes are extremely low … Support our journalism by becoming a TNM Member - Click here. Photo about Indian red sand boa snake in jungle. Image of snake, indian, coils - 57072065 NAGPUR: Two rare red sand boa snakes, listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, were seized in last 24 hours in the city. जानिए इस साँप की कीमत करोडो में क्यों होती है ? Image of eryx, outside, reptilian - 57071733 Animals seized from poachers are sent to zoos or natural parks. 1. The Kenyan Sand Boa is a tremendous pet snake option that’s rather popular these days. Kannur-based wildlife activist CK Abraham says that people in India kill the snakes for ‘poojas’ to get out of bad luck. There are loads of different hides available. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes. Eryx johnii is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae.The species is endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India.There are no subspecies which are recognized as valid.. Common names include: Indian sand boa, John's sand boa, erutaley nagam, mannoli pambu, red sand boa, brown sand boa. Now they are a rare and protected species (because of the trafficking), but it is easy to catch them in the monsoons as they are in hibernation,” he added. In western India, specifically state of Maharashtra, it is known as a Mandul snake (Marathi: मांडूळ साप). Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. Other articles where Sand boa is discussed: boa: …Indian, and African species of sand boa (genus Eryx) and the West African earth python (Charina reinhardtii), in addition to two North American species. Today we are going to tell about a snake whose value is 2 to 3 crores in the black market. Why are Sand Boa in demand. Red tailed boas can be easily acquired from a breeder, pet store, or reptile show and are identifiable by their red patterned coloration on the end of their tail. Posts about red sand boa. Sen says that illegal trade has been around for decades and the market has only become larger. Commonly known as the ‘two-headed snake’ because of its blunt tail that resembles a head, the red sand boa has been a favourite with smugglers as the reptiles fetch a lot of money. 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]. Description of the Sand Boa These snakes have thick bodies that they use to burrow in the sand. Since they are non-poisonous and harmless, poachers find it easy to catch and traffic them,” Sen says. The tail, which is blunt, rounded, and not distinct from the body, appears truncated. “Earlier they were easily available in sandy areas. red sand boa some people call it as double headed snake found in our farms.....telangana, india. “There are agents for their sale in the state. A red sand boa snake, worth around ₹1.25 crore, was rescued from five persons, who were trying to sell it in Narsinghgarh town in Rajgarh district … There are two main reasons why this species is one of our all-time favorites: First of all, they look amazing. But since we were not able find the final buyers, it is difficult to confirm why they are used abroad,” Sen Antony, Ernakulam District Forest Officer of Flying Squad, told The News Minute. The red tailed boa, also referred to as a boa constrictor, is a very common choices as a pet snake. They spread these stories intentionally to increase the market,” he alleges.