We consider all snakes a menace, although only a few of them are poisonous. Rarely it occurs to us that the fact is that snakes are beneficial to man and hold an important place in the ecology of all parts of the world where they occur.

The two large snakes the common Sand Boa and the Red Sand Boa are miniature Pythons. They are closely related to Pythons, the largest representatives of the snake group and are found in the plains, hills and sandy soils of India. Like Pythons, the Boas kill their prey by winding themselves round them before swallowing.  The Common Sand Boa is fairly common in dikes between rice fields and manure heaps of agricultural areas probably because of the assured supply of their delicacy--rats and other rodents which damage crops. Though it superficially resembles a Python, it is more commonly mistaken for a deadly viper because of its small-scaled head and thick-set body which brings the snake nearer to death at the hands of innocent people. It hunts for food in the night time. 

The Red Sand Boa whose tail is so blunt that it looks almost like another head of the animal has become a favourite with the snake-charmers who exhibit it as a 'double-headed' snake to the delight of the gullible audience. This snake is credited with exceptional powers of penetrating the blocked burrows of the rice-destroying mole rat.

Most of us do know that the diet of Python, the largest Indian Snakes, includes rats and other destructive mammals. It is deployed in rice fields for putting down rats. Pythons are welcome pets in the grain stores of Myanmar and Thailand.

The harmless Trinklet Snake relishes a meal of rats. It is found in farmlands and forests of India and its presence in agricultural areas should be a major factor in controlling crop-damaging rodents.

The Indian Rat Snake known as Sarai Pambu(in tamil language) occupies a pride of place for its service to the Indian farmer. It is found through-out India, in forests as well as around human habitations, in huts and houses, in search of rats in rat holes, rice fields and large godowns of foodgrains. It is remarkable for its speed on the ground besides being a good swimmer and climber. Rat Snake should be protected as they control the population of rats which multiply very fast and cause enormous damage to foodstuffs and grain.

The Royal Snake or Diadem Snake is another rat-eating snake. It is restricted to the dry tracts of North-West India. It is perfectly harmless being non-poisonous. But, it is still regarded by the local people as another variety of cobra and is killed.

The Boas, Pythons, and the Rat Snakes carry a heavy price on their heads for their skins. Lured by its ornamental skin, skin traders have nicknamed the Common Sand Boa as Baby Python. These snakes are listed as protected species because their ruthless killing has continued unabated for the past few years.