Gongylophis colubrinus
Egyptian sand boa ( Eryx colubrinus )
The Egyptian sand boa ( Eryx colubrinus, Syn: Gongylophis colubrinus ) is a non-poisonous snake from the subfamily of the Boas ( Erycinae ) within the boas ( Boidae ).
Features
It is an average of 50 to 70, a maximum of 80 inches long. The body is stocky with a short tail and a blunt head, which is not separated from the body. The eyes are very small and sit on top of the head, the pupil is slit-shaped. The animals have 12 to 14 upper lip Signs ( supralabials ), and between these and the eyes two to three rows of small sub- eye signs ( Subocularia ), the scales of the head underside are also small and smooth.
The entire body is covered with small scales, which are smooth or slightly keeled, especially in the front body portion, the Kielung is the tail end stronger. Around the middle of the body this way 47 to 53 scale rows, rare 55th has The belly scales are very narrow. The animals are sometimes very colorfully patterned. In general, there are black spots that can be combined to form zigzag bands on the back, on a yellowish- gray to strong orange base. The belly is yellowish- gray to gray.
Area of distribution and habitat
The Egyptian sand boa is common in East Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula in the arid semi-desert and steppe areas. The main distribution area stretches from Egypt to Ethiopia and Sudan to Somalia and northern Kenya.
Way of life
The Egyptian sand boa is a typical bottom dwellers. She digs into the upper layers of sand and loose soil and also hides during the day under rocks or other available hiding as the roots of the vegetation. It is crepuscular and nocturnal and preys on small mammals and reptiles that she grabs with the pines and kills by wrapping around with her body.
The mating season of the snake is in the summer months. In autumn, the young snakes are born alive ( Ovoviviparie ) which means there is a litter of up to 15 pups. About eight to ten days after birth, this skin for the first time.
System
The Egyptian sand boa is one of the genuine sand boas of the genus Eryx. Together with Eryx conicus, Eryx muelleri, Eryx Eryx whitakeri somalicus and it is classified by some authors in a separate genus Gongylophis. This genus is, however, not universally accepted.
The Egyptian sand boa is divided into two subspecies:
- Eryx colubrinus colubrinus
- Eryx colubrinus loveridgei