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Last updated : 11/03/2007

This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 8. Links - Species Specific and the Section: Snakes: Boas

Introduction

This page contains a selection of the best links found on the reptile species: Sand Boa (sp Eryx). The navigation table on the top left will take you directly to the defined topics, such as  Natural Habitat, Captive care, Breeders, Pictures, More information, Other information and Taxonomy.

Please feel free to advise any incorrect allocations or descriptions and to request any additional links to your favorite website on this subject.

A brief snippet about Sand Boa

A brief introduction to the species will be inserted here ..... coming soon! In the interim we have a number of links on the species, listed on this page.

Some people may wonder: of the thousands of snake species that exist in the world, why choose sand boas? Well, I sometimes wonder myself, but I do have a few good reasons. There are several species, subspecies, and varieties of sand boas, each with its own characteristics and 'personality'. They are small, easy to care for, and relatively simple to breed. In fact, it is really too easy to build up a large collection.

Appeared in 'Reptilia' Magazine, Issue 34 Sand boas of the genera Eryx and Gongylophis have long had an undeserved reputation of being boring pets. Most first-time snake buyers end up deciding on a colourful corn snake, kingsnake, or other small, easy-to-keep colubrid. Fact is, most species of sand boas are also simple to care for, and because they are smaller and slower moving, are also easier to handle - so they are good for beginners. There are a number of species to choose from, and many specimens are intricately patterned, without even mentioning the variety of colour morphs on the market. Sand boas are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are active mostly at night.

The sand boas are a group of generally small boids, mostly Asiatic, although some species are native to Africa and one species even ranges into Europe. They are related to the rosy and rubber boas of North America, and together they make up the group called the erycine boas. The East African (also known an the Kenyan) sand boa is in build a typical sand boa, but colored orange or yellow with chocolate-brown to black splotches. The belly is white or cream. In the wild, East African sand boas range through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Chad, Niger, Yemen, Tanzania, and Somalia. They eat small rodents and lizards, which they catch by lying in wait nearly buried in the dirt or sand until a potential meal walks by. They may also search out rodent nests to dine on the young.

Introduction This is an excellent choice of snake and are normally relatively docile however some specimens have been known to be temperamental. Housing A 24" x 18" x 18" vivarium fitted with a Ceramic Heater and thermostat on one end is ideal housing for a pair of Sand Boas. The heater should be left on day and night but the thermostat should be turned down by the appropriate termperature at night and back up again in the morning.

General This short heavily-bodied snake is the largest of all the sand boas. They can reach lengths of 3.5 feet, but usually a large female will rarely hit three feet. These East African beauties are not very good pet snakes due to their nocturnal and burrowing nature. They are however, very colorful and docile animals that are a great addition to any collection. There are now several color and patter morphs available in this species which always adds some fun to any project.

Native to: East Africa; Egypt south to Tanzania; southwest Somalia west to Kenya Size: Female Kenyan sand bosa are generally larger than males reaching lengths of 26 to 32 inches and weighing up to two pounds. Some females have reached up to 40 inches in length. Males generally only reach 15 inches in length.

Common Name: Kenyan Sand Boa, Egyptian Sand Boa Latin name: Eryx colubrinus East African Sand Boa Native to: East Africa; Egypt south to Tanzania; southwest Somalia west to Kenya Size: Females are generally larger than males reaching lengths of 26 to 32 inches and weighing up to two pounds. Some females have reached up to 40 inches in length. Males generally only reach 15 inches in length.

Housing: These small snakes can be housed in as small as a 10 gallon enclosure, but the larger the better. Enclosures should typically be longer than they are high. You may choose from numerous different types of enclosures, including glass or plastic tubs. Be aware that these little guys are great escape artists, and you should make sure that you have a secure lid.

Reptilian Projects is a family hobby turned business. My wife, Angi, and myself handle most of the operation when we are not at our day jobs. And our three children help us on the weekends, and at the shows.

Kenyan Sand Boa (Gongylophis [Eryx] colubrinus loveridgei) The 'Standard' of Sand Boas! Attractively patterned in dark brown circles on a pale orange ground color. All of ours will be heterozygous for various traits, and will be listed as such when known. Easy to keep and make great pets. Most of ours will be heterozygous for other traits and will be priced accordingly.

In many ways, Kenyan sandboas are an excellent snake to keep. They are beautiful, small, undemanding, the babies eat mice, and all ages rarely bite (other than misguided feeding responses.) A great big female Kenyan sandboa is an amazing creature. The honor of being the first person to breed this species belongs to John McLain, then a keeper at the Houston Zoo. Since that time this species has been bred many times in captivity; today there are a variety of color and pattern morphs that are available. These are great snakes with which to work.

These 4 het babies were born 8/8, plus two stillborn. They average 22 Cm (8.7") and weigh 15 grams each. This is the first litter of hets, which will enable me to outbreed the line a bit. With luck, I should have these snakes in production in a couple years.

Welcome to the Sand Boa Page, a page dedicated to providing information about Sand Boas and other Erycine snakes. This page is intended for the casual herpetologist who would like to know a little more about Sand Boas and their relatives and for the herpetoculturalist who wants tips on keeping and breeding these amazing little boas.

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Last updated : 13-01-2008