Common name: Arabian Sand Boa (أصلة الرمال العربية)
Scientific name: Eryx jayakari
Family: Boidae

Size:
Body length: 30–50 cm
Tail length: Short and blunt
Weight: Approximately 100–250 g

Identification:
A small, thick-bodied desert snake with smooth scales and a cylindrical shape adapted for burrowing. Coloration ranges from pale sandy beige to light brown, often marked with darker irregular blotches for camouflage. The head is small and not clearly distinct from the body, and the tail is short and blunt, sometimes resembling the head as a defensive adaptation.

Habitat:
Sandy deserts, dune systems, and loose soil plains. Often found partially buried beneath sand, especially in areas with sparse vegetation. Prefers soft substrates that allow easy burrowing.

Status in the UAE:
Native desert species. Locally present in suitable sandy habitats across the UAE.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds primarily on small lizards, rodents, and occasionally insects. Hunts by ambush, striking prey that passes close to its concealed position.

Behavior:
Primarily nocturnal and fossorial (burrowing). Spends much of its time hidden beneath sand with only its eyes exposed. Relies on camouflage and sudden strikes rather than speed. Non-venomous and generally non-aggressive.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)