Eryx whitakeri

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.

Etymology
The specific name whitakeri, as well as both of the above common names, are in honor of American-born Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.

Geographic range


E. whitakeri is found in southwestern coastal India in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and southern Maharashtra.

The type locality given is "Mangalore, Karnataka State, India".

Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of E. whitakeri are sea beaches and scrub forests.

Description
E. whitakeri may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 79 cm.

Diet
E. whitaker preys upon small mice.

Reproduction
E. whitakeri is viviparous.