Boas

Boas and Python have the largest and longest members in the World respectively. The largest snake in the world is a Boa, the Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) in South America whiles the longest snake in the world is a python, the reticulated python (Python reticulatus) in Asia.

In Ghana, we have both pythons (two types) and boas (two types), however, our boas are small snakes. One major difference between boas and pythons is that, pythons lay eggs (oviparous) whiles majority of boas give birth (Ovoviviparous).

The Saharan sand boa (Eryx muelleri) now Gonglyophis muelleri below is a gravid female taken in the course of the IDEAWILD EQUIPMENT sponsored survey of the Savelugu-Nanton district of the Northern Region of Ghana. 

It is one of three boas known worldwide to lay eggs instead of give birth. It is non-venomous snake, mainly subterranean (mostly underground) and nocturnal (active at night). They are normally not encountered above ground unless flushed out by heavy rains/floods, hunger or dug out by humans.

Fig 1 This snake in captivity laid 11 eggs

Fig 2. A male sand boa dug out of a hole in the ground

Fig 3 Taking measurements and counting scales of the captured snakes