Boidae
Whitaker’s sand boa
HarmlessEryx whitakeri
6 photographs of the Whitaker’s sand boa. © Rohit Naniwadekar.
The Whitaker’s sand boa (Eryx whitakeri) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Boidae
About the Whitaker’s sand boa
Eryx whitakeri, also commonly known as Whitaker's sand boa or Whitaker's boa, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is endemic to India. No subspecies are recognized.
Etymology
The specific name whitakeri, as well as both of the above common names, are in honor of American-born Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.
Geographic range
E. whitakeri is found in southwestern coastal India in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and southern Maharashtra.
The type locality given is "Mangalore, Karnataka State, India".
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of E. whitakeri are sea beaches and scrub forests.
Description
E. whitakeri may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 79 cm (31 in).
Diet
E. whitaker preys upon small mice.
Reproduction
E. whitakeri is viviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Whitaker’s sand boa
- Is the Whitaker’s sand boa venomous?
- No. The Whitaker’s sand boa (Eryx whitakeri) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Whitaker’s sand boa poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Whitaker’s sand boa is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Whitaker’s sand boa dangerous?
- The Whitaker’s sand boa is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Whitaker’s sand boa live?
- The Whitaker’s sand boa has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Whitaker’s sand boa eat?
- E. whitaker preys upon small mice.
- Why is it called the Whitaker’s sand boa?
- The specific name whitakeri, as well as both of the above common names, are in honor of American-born Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.
Where it is found
More Boidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.