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Breeding animal
Species
Kenyan Sand Boa
A mostly burrowing boa from dry to semi-dry regions of north-eastern and East Africa.
Our collection
Breeding animals of this species
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Breeding animal
Tristan
Species profile
Kenyan Sand Boa Gongylophis colubrinus (syn. Eryx colubrinus)
Origin & natural range
Found from parts of north-eastern Africa through East Africa, including areas of Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. Populations can be quite separated from one another.
General husbandry
Kenyan sand boas spend much of their time burrowing. They need a deep, stable substrate, a mostly dry setup, secure hides and a clear warm-to-cool gradient. A small humid area can help with shedding without making the whole enclosure wet.
Key parameters
General guide: a warm area of around 29–32 °C, with a cooler zone in the mid-20s °C. Keep the enclosure mostly dry, provide a small local humid area and use a deep, burrow-friendly substrate.
Space & enclosure
Floor space matters more than height. The enclosure should allow the snake to stretch out, choose between temperatures and bury itself properly in a deep substrate.
Diet
In the wild: Small mammals, lizards and occasionally birds.
In human care: Mostly appropriately sized mice or small rats; match prey size and interval to age and condition.
Conservation & CITES
Conservation status: boas in this group are generally covered by CITES Appendix II. For international transfers, the current taxonomic listing and paperwork requirements should be checked.
Special notes & safety
Not venomous and normally harmless to people, but every animal should still be handled calmly and carefully.
The husbandry information and space recommendations on this page are general guidance. Legal minimum requirements vary between countries and regions and must always be checked locally. Before buying any animal, please take the time to learn about the species in depth – you are welcome to ask us, and we also recommend good specialist literature. Husbandry should always be adapted to the species, locality, age, size and individual animal.
Skeleton of Kenyan Sand Boa
Natural range
