The
Schokari sand racer Psammophis schokari is
a wide ranging species that can be found throughout Northern Africa, as far
south as Chad, Somalia and Ethiopia. Its range also extends throughout the
Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East to Central Asia, occurring as far north
as Turkmenistan and as far east as Pakistan and north-west India. It is one of
the fastest snakes in the Middle East and has a thin body with variable
colouration and patterning and an elongated head, featuring large golden-brown
eyes with rounded pupils. Three main colour forms are recognised: a striped
form, which has four dark, longitudinal stripes running over the upperparts; a
non-striped form, which is either unmarked or lightly dotted; and a
rear-striped from, with dark, longitudinal stripes only on the posterior part
of the body, which merge towards the anterior. The background colouration is
generally olive, tan or beige and there are also often dark stripes running
from the snout, past the eyes, to the rear of the head. This variation in
colouration and markings is believed to be an adaptation to the particular
environment that individual specimens occupy. The jaws of this species bear two
non-venomous, fang-like teeth in the upper jaw, at level of front-edge of the
eye, and two strongly enlarged, grooved, venomous fangs, at the level of the
rear edge of the eye. They occur in well-vegetated areas, including cultivated
areas, among trees and shrubs, as well as in areas of sand and gravel where low
shrubs and grasses occur. It can be found from sea-level to high-altitude
mountainous regions. It is an agile and active daytime predator, when chasing
prey and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 16 kilometres per hour and can
even climb trees in order to reach adult birds and nestlings. Prey includes
lizards, small birds, rodents and other snakes, which are captured with a swift
bite followed by a chewing motion to deliver the snake’s venom. Once
immobilised, the prey is swallowed head first. Despite being a venomous
species, the Schokari sand racer is not dangerous to humans, and in response to
threats its main from of defence is to use its speed to escape.
