Arabian sand boa  (Eryx jayakari)

Description

One of the smallest boa species (3), the Arabian sand boa is the only boa found in south-east Arabia, and one of the most common snakes in the United Arab Emirates (4). The body is covered in smooth, glossy scales, and coloured yellow, with an irregular patterning of brown bars and blotches (2). The features of the head are unusual, with a chisel- shaped snout, and eyes that are positioned on the top of the head, rather than the sides (4). Boas are one of the most primitive snake groups, and retain vestigial features of the four-legged ancestors from which they evolved (5). In this species, the remnants of hind limbs are apparent as small claws towards the snake’s rear (2).

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