Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Eryx Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Boidae Higher classification Old World Sand Boas | |
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Lower classifications Eryx jaculus, Eryx johnii, Eryx elegans, Eryx whitakeri | ||
Eryx is a genus of nonvenomous boas found in southeastern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia. Nine species are currently recognized.
Contents
Geographic range
These snakes are found in southeastern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia.
Description
The head is not distinct from the neck. The dorsal surface of the head is covered with small scales. The rostral is large, the eyes range from small to very small. Their pupils are vertical. The anterior maxillary teeth and anterior mandibular teeth are longer than the posterior ones. The body is almost cylindrical. The dorsal scales are smooth or keeled. The tail is very short, either not prehensile or only slightly prehensile. The subcaudals are undivided.
Species
In addition to the species listed below, the genus formerly included three species now placed in the genus Gongylophis.
*) Not including the nominate subspecies.
T) Type species.
Taxonomy
A new species, E. borrii, found in Somalia, was described by Lanza and Nistri (2005). The specific name, borrii, is in honor of Italian zoologist Marco Borri.