Eryx johnii (Russell, 1801) Red Sand Boa	Diagnostic characters:
	Body cylindrical, robust; tail very small and blunt; neck indistinct; upper lip protrudes beyond the lower jaw; nostrils small and slit like; eyes small with vertical pupil. Dorsum variable; reddish-brown, dark-brown, speckled grey, yellow or black; belly white; spotted with brown. SVL: 1100mm.
	Habit and Habitat:
	Nocturnal; Prefers dry places, sandy soil and often lives in rodent burrows usually non-offensive.
	Diet:
	Feeds on insects, lizards, snakes, small birds and rodents
	Legal Protection:
	WL (P) A, 1972-Schedule IV
	Conservation status and Threats:
	Not accessed. Uncommon.  Trade is a serious threat recently observed.
	Distribution: Madhya Pradesh: Seoni (PTR), Mandsor, Ratlam,Ujjain, Dewas, Indore and Dhar. Elsewhere in India: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and part of Odisha.