Eryx whitakeri is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Erycinae of the family Boidae. The species is endemic to India. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.
Etymology
The specific name, whitakeri, as well as both of the above common names, are in honor of American-born, Indian herpetologist Romulus Whitaker.
Geographic range
Juvenile in Pilerne, Goa (top view)
Adult Whitaker’s boa in Pilerne, Goa
E. whitakeri is found in southwestern coastal India in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and southern Maharashtra.
The type locality given is “Mangalore, Karnataka State, India”.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of E. whitakeri are sea beaches and scrub forests.
Description
E. whitakeri may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 79 cm (31 in).