Whitaker's sandboa | Eryx whitakeri

Endemic to India. Found in and around Western Ghats of Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Venom Type:
N/A

Characteristics for identification:
Before description this species was documented as Gongylophis conicus (Common Sand Boa) which looks very close to it. Eryx whitakeri is found to have smoother and more shiny scales. Body patterns looks close to Common Sand Boa. With very close appearance like Common Sand Boa (E. conicus) it can be easily identified by checking its small head, thick & robust body marked with irregular sepia patches, smooth scales and thick tail covered with smooth scales.

Description:
Dorsal -
Body short and very thick; smooth or weakly keeled scales found in all over the body. Body full of irregular patches of dark color which are usually continuous and fused with ground color making sometimes uniform in appearance on superficial look. Ground color brown or reddish brown which is always lighter than color of patches.

Ventral -
Belly scales much narrower like typical burrowers. Color generally yellowish-white with or without dark patches. Subcaudal scales unpaired.

Head -
Head small and not very distinct from neck; covered with weakly keeled or smooth scales. Underside also covered with small scales and mental groove absent. Eyes small with vertical pupil.

Tail -
Tail very short, thick and covered with smooth or weakly keeled keeled scales of smooth appearance; ends with small rounded tip.