WCS-India report flags illegal trade of red sand boa

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:

• • •  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.

• Consolidating the Law:

• • • 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.

• Community Engagement:

• • • 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.

• Habitat Preservation:

• • 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.