Red Sand Boa Snake Gives Birth to Nine Young Ones After Rescue

A rescued red sand boa snake gave birth to nine young ones, despite being severely injured and dehydrated when seized by the Maharashtra forest department. The species, frequently trafficked due to superstitions, is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The newborns will soon be released into the wild.

A red sand boa snake, a nonvenomous and protected species, gave birth to nine live young ones on Monday, according to a wildlife welfare group representative.

The snake was in a dire state—severely injured, dehydrated, and starving—when seized by the Mumbai unit of the Maharashtra forest department during a trafficking attempt. It underwent treatment and rehabilitation at the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare, the representative said.

The red sand boa is among the most trafficked species in India, largely because of superstitious beliefs and blind faith, stated Pawan Sharma, founder-president of the association and an honorary wildlife warden with the forest department. This has led to high black-market prices for the snake.

This species is unique for being viviparous, meaning it directly gives birth to live young, unlike other common species that lay eggs. The young snakes will soon be released into the wild at an undisclosed location where they can fend for themselves, the wildlife activist reported.

The trading and possession of the red sand boa violate the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The species is currently listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

(With inputs from agencies.)