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Arabian sand boa

The Arabian Sand Boa

  • 23 March, 2021
  • Critterman
  • No Comments
  • 2569 Views
  • 3 Likes
Daily Critter Facts, Reptile Facts, Snake Facts

Spending most of it’s days buried in the sand in the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, the Arabian sand boa is among the smallest boa constrictors. They are also known as Arabian boas or Jayakar’s sand boas. The scientific name and the common name of Jayakar’s sand boa, are in honor of Atmaran S. G. Jayakar, an Indian naturalist & surgeon. Due to their wide distribution and stable numbers, they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Eryx jayakari
Weight: Up to 3.5 ounces
Length: Up to 15 inches
Lifespan: Up to 15 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) Females are sexually dimorphic to males as they are notably larger.

2.) These boas, like most others, are solitary; only coming together to mate.

3.) A group of boas is called a nest, den, bed, pit, or knot.

4.) Arabian sand boas are nocturnal (active at night), spending the hot says buried in the soft sand or soil, till the cover of darkness.

5.) They are ambush predators that lay in wait, partially buried in the ground, with just their eyes present. When passing prey happens by, they fling their head sideways and snag their prey. They then constrict their prey and eat it head first, when it’s dead.

But wait, there’s more on the Arabian sand boa!

6.) Sand boas, like all boas, are not venomous.

7.) These diminutive snakes prey on worm lizards and geckos. In captivity, they will also take pinky and fuzzy mice.

Did you know…?
Incubation temperatures of 79°F yield females, where temperatures of 85°F – 87°F produce both males and females.

8.) Unlike most other boas, females lay a clutch of up to 7 eggs that hatch in approximately 66 days.

9.) There are only 3 other known species of boas that lay egg clutches.

10.) Baby snakes are called snakelets. How cute is that?

11.) Sand boas are preyed on by larger snakes and birds of prey.

Now a Short Arabian Sand Boa Video!

Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added frequently!

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ArabiaArabianArabian sand boaboaboa constrictorconstrictordeserteggsMiddle Eastnocturnalpredatorsandsand boasnake
Critterman

With over 50 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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