In a rare case, an injured red sand boa with albinism was found in a residential area near Vadavalli here on Thursday. Though volunteers involved in snake rescue saved the sand boa, it subsequently died.
According to K. Santhosh Kumar, whose team volunteers for snake rescues, the male sand boa measuring three feet was stuck in the drain of a small tank attached to a house at Thillai Nagar near Vadavalli.
Though Mr. Kumar and his team managed to take the sand boa out, its condition had worsened after stuck in water for long hours. The sand boa died soon.
“The red sand boa could have got white colour due to albinism. Though I have seen many snakes with albinism, it was the first albino red sand boa I spotted. I haven’t heard about similar sightings before,” said Mr. Kumar.
He said that Forest Department officials were informed about the sighting and the death of the sand boa. He added that the dead sand boa would be buried with the consent of Forest Department. Vadavalli, which lies close to Maruthamalai forest, is known for good population of red sand boa.
“Snakes, especially sand boa, play important role in ecosystem and for farmers in agriculture. Though sand boa is doing the role that is done by more than 100 earthworms, they are getting killed or traded due to lack of awareness and fake myths,” Mr. Kumar said.
For snake rescues, Mr. Kumar and team can be contacted at 99767 76539, 99943 06539.