WCS-India report flags illegal trade of red sand boa
Context
According to a report by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-India, there were 172 instances of red sand boa (Eryx johnii) seizures between 2016 and 2021.
The paper, titled “Illegal Trade of Red Sand Boa in India 2016-2021,” was put together by the WCS-India Counter Wildlife Trafficking team and compiles data from media reports on the seizures.
What do we know about Red Sand Boa?
Taxonomy and Distribution:
- Belongs to the family Boidae’s subfamily Erycinae.
- Located in India, Pakistan, and Iran.
- No known subspecies.
Common Names:
- Indian sand boa
- John’s sand boa
- Iruthalai nagam
- Mannuli pambu
- Red sand boa
- Brown sand boa
Etymology:
The specific name “johnii” pays tribute to German scientist Christoph Samuel John, who worked in India.
Description
- Adults rarely measure more than 2-3 feet long.
- adapted to dig underground.
- elongated head with narrow nostrils and small eyes.
- Dorsal scales on the cylindrical body are polished.
- A rounded, blunt tail that looks truncated.
- The colour ranges from pale yellow-tan to reddish brown.
Geographic Range:
- Found throughout western, southern, and northwestern India as well as from Iran to Pakistan.
- Type locality: Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India (Tranquebar).
- Known as the “Mandul snake,” it is also present in the Indian desert and Maharashtra.
- Habitat: Found in rocky, semi-desert hillsides and dry, scrubby plains.
- prefers to burrow in loose, sandy soil.
Diet:
- Preys primarily on rodents and other animals, such as rats and mice.
- kills prey by strangling it.
- Some snakes may only consume other snakes for food.
Reproduction:
- Ovoviviparous species reproduce by giving birth to live young.
- Females can give birth to up to 14 babies at once.
- From the end of summer till the monsoon, babies are born.
Behaviour:
- Snake species with very calm behaviour.
- adapted for life underground.
Illegal Trade and Conservation:
- Snakes are believed to have supernatural abilities in superstitious cultures.
- Some people think it may treat diseases like AIDS or bring luck.
- Due to these attitudes and illicit trafficking, endangered.
- Schedule IV of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, protects this species.
What is the way forward in protecting these animals?
- Awareness and Education:
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- Launch public awareness efforts to inform populations about the significance of these creatures for the environment and dispel superstitious notions.
- Encourage people to recognize that these species are essential to keeping ecosystems in balance.
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- Consolidating the Law:
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- Increase penalties for unlawful trade while enforcing already-existing rules and regulations governing animal protection, such as India’s Animal Protection Act.
- Encourage the passage of laws that are more stringently enforced and ensure the protection of wildlife.
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- Community Engagement:
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- Engage the community in conservation initiatives by emphasizing the advantages of preserving these creatures and their habitats for future generations.
- Encourage the reporting of illegal activity and include neighbourhood residents in wildlife monitoring initiatives.
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- Habitat Preservation:
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- Protecting and restoring these species’ native habitats will help to maintain the viability and suitability of their habitat.
- Create and protect sanctuaries or protected places that are off-limits to human disturbance and unlawful trade.
