Eryx whitakeri, also commonly known as Whitaker's sand boa or Whitaker's boa, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is endemic to India. No subspecies are recognized.[3]
Etymology
The specific name whitakeri, as well as both of the above common names, are in honor of American-born Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.[4]
Geographic range
A juvenile Whitaker's sand boa in Pilerne, Goa (top view)
An adult Whitaker's sand boa in Pilerne, Goa
E. whitakeri is found in southwestern coastal India in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and southern Maharashtra.[2]
The type locality given is "Mangalore, Karnataka State, India".[2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of E. whitakeri are sea beaches and scrub forests.[5]
Description
E. whitakeri may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 79 cm (31 in).[5]
Diet
E. whitaker preys upon small mice.[5]
Reproduction
E. whitakeri is viviparous.[6]
References
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^ Srinivasulu, C.; Das, A.; Mohapatra, P.; Srinivasulu, B.; Shankar, G.; Achyuthan, N.S.; Vyas, R.; Thakur, S.; Kulkarni, N.U.; Jose, J.; Sawant, N.S.; Aengals, A.; Deepak, V. (2021). "Eryx whitakeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T172652A1359593. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T172652A1359593.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
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^ "Eryx whitakeri ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
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^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Eryx whitakeri, p. 284).
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^ a b c Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Eryx whitakeri, p. 14).
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^ Species Eryx whitakeri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
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