A small, pop-eyed desert boa with eyes set on top of its head, allowing it to ambush prey while completely buried in loose sand.
Description
The Arabian sand boa is a stubby tan-and-cream snake with a blunt head and famously cartoonish eyes that protrude from the top of its skull. Adults rarely exceed 40 cm. Its small smooth scales and rounded tail help it move through loose sand without resistance.
Behavior
A nocturnal ambush hunter, it buries itself in sand with only the eyes exposed, then strikes upward at passing geckos and rodents. Despite its boa lineage it is harmless to humans and tame in captivity. Females give birth to small live young rather than laying eggs.
Range
Restricted to the sandy interior of the Arabian Peninsula, including parts of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the UAE. It is most active during cool desert nights from spring through early autumn.
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Arabian Sand Boa starts with A . Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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