HARYANA, India – The red sand boa is a non-venomous snake that thrives in dry scrublands and grasslands that offer loose sand the snake can burrow into and hide as it awaits its prey. Being one of the most illegally traded species worldwide, it is listed as ‘Near Threatened‘ in the IUCN Red List. India is no exception to the participation in the trafficking of this snake, despite its protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The red sand boa is now protected under the Schedule I in a recent revision of the Act. Found in the dry parts of the country, this docile snake has a unique appearance. It is smooth, thick and sports a russet hue. Its most striking feature is its tail, which is just as thick as its body. It is blunt and rounded at the end, thus giving the illusion of looking like its head, at first glance. This is an evolutionary trait used to confuse predators. Often called a farmer’s friend, red sand boas are also seen near farmlands, where they keep rodent populations in check as they feed avidly on mice and rats, along with birds, eggs, lizards and even other snakes. The rampant trafficking of this species is owed to widespread superstitions and myths surrounding this ‘two-headed snake’ or ‘do muha’ as it is often called due to the characteristic of its tail. Some believe that possession of the snake will bring prosperity. Some also believe that the snake’s spinal cord can…This article was originally published on Mongabay
This story first appeared on Mongabay
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