How old is my Kenyan Sand Boa?
Kenyan Sand Boa Species Overview
| Kenyan Sand Boa Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gongylophis (Eryx) colubrinus |
| Price | $100 |
| Size | Males 15 – 18 inches Females 25 – 30 inches |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years |
Are Kenyan sand boas nippy?
Darren Boyd. The Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus) is the most commonly kept and bred sand boa species. It is indigenous to India and Pakistan, and captive-bred babies are often available. Adults are known to become calm, like Kenyans, but babies and some wild-caught examples can be nippy.
How often can I handle my Kenyan Sand Boa?
These snakes do well with lots of attention and handling, so you can interact with your snake several days a week if you want to. Sand boas love to burrow, so don’t be alarmed if it tries to sneak up your sleeve. These snakes are typically pretty docile. If they do bite you, don’t worry.
Do sand boas lay eggs?
Kenyan sand boa does not lay eggs. They give birth to live young. No incubator needed. The female boa retains the embryos inside her, and she delivers the fully formed babies encased in individual membranes.
Do sand boas need water?
Food and Water: Boas eat rodents no larger than the snake’s girth. Baby Sand Boas should be fed once a week. These boas are desert dwellers and need very little drinking water. We do suggest keeping a small dish of water in with them just in case.
How old does a Kenyan sand boa snake have to be?
Males and females reach sexual maturity at different points. A male Kenyan sand boa must be over 1 year old, and at least 75 grams in weight. The female must be at least 2 years old, and should weigh 300 grams or more. If your snakes are the right age, but too light, wait until they’ve gained weight before pairing them.
What happens if you hit a Kenyan sand boa?
Falling rocks could cause injury. Kenyan Sand Boas, like all snakes, are cold-blooded. That means that warmth is very important. Not only that, but you want to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. Kenyan Sand Boas are from Africa, so they’ll need plenty of heat!
What to do if sand boa thinks you are a mouse?
If your sand boa thinks you are food and bites and hangs on, try waving a bottle of alcohol (rubbing or drinking) in front of its nose, or spraying a bit near (not in) its face. I was careless recently and my big (27 inch) adult female thought my index finger was a mouse.
How often should you feed a Kenyan sand boa?
For juvenile Sand Boas under two years of age feed one mouse per week. Adults are prone to obesity because of their stout shape so should only be fed one mouse every 10 – 14 days. Kenyan Sand Boa illnesses are usually related to poor husbandry or diet.
How long does a Kenyan sand boa live?
You can expect them to live anywhere from 15 to 30 years in good care, with some individuals living a bit longer. Kenyan sand boas certainly aren’t going to be a big issue when it comes to space. A hatchling can start out in a 10 gallon enclosure or larger, and adults don’t require anything more than 20 gallons.
How big does a sand boa Baby Get?
Babies may also eat insects, but this is not thought to be common. They are most active at night, but I have seen mine prowling in the afternoon as well. Male sand boas only reach about 15 to 18 inches in average length and about 70-100 grams in weight, although a very old male may reach as much as 24 inches.
What kind of mice can a Kenyan sand boa eat?
Kenyan sand boas are some of the smallest pet snakes and they will never grow big enough to eat rats or larger mice. Feed them small mice and nothing else. Get frozen mice and thaw them before feeding. The mouse should be about as wide as the fattest part of the snake’s body.
Do you need a hide for a Kenyan sand boa?
Although the Kenyan sand Boa will burrow and hide beneath the ground, you should also get them snake a hide. Two is even better, so that they can have one on the warmer side and one on the cooler side of the enclosure. There are loads of different hides available.
How old do sand boas live?
With proper care, Sand Boas can live more than 15 years. At Big Apple Pet Supply, we carry only Captive Bred Sand Boas to maintain strict quality control. Sand Boas can be set up in an enclosure as small as 10 gallons (20″ x 10″ x 12″H), and can remain in a small enclosure for the duration of their life.
Is a Kenyan sand boa poisonous?
The Kenyan sand is a non-venomous snake that uses constriction to subdue its prey. Kenyan sand boas may also suffocate their prey by dragging it beneath the sand. If food is particularly scarce, the Kenyan sand boa can live for up to a year without eating.
How long are sand boas pregnant for?
A gravid female sand boa will seek out belly heat to help with the development of her babies. Be sure to provide this via a heat cable with a thermostat or an undertank heating pad. The gestation period is about four to six months, with the temperature having some influence on the birth date.
Can you keep a Kenyan sand boa in a 10 gallon?
Kenyan Sand Boa Enclosure The Kenyan sand boa is appealing to many keepers because of its minimal space requirements. Even the largest female Kenyan sand boa can be comfortably housed in a 10-gallon reptile terrarium with a secure lid, or a similarly sized enclosure.
What all can Kenyan sand boas eat?
rodents
Kenyan sand boas primarily eat rodents, but have also been known to prey on lizards and birds.
Are Kenyan sand boas easy to breed?
Kenyan sand boas breed easily in captivity. Females should be at least two years old, 20 inches, and 325 grams to breed. Males can breed even before they hit the one-year mark.
