Description:
Scientific name: Gongylophis colubrinus
Life span: Up to 30 years
The heavy-bodied, sturdy Kenyan sand boa has a blunt head, small eyes, a thick, short body, and a thick, long tail. Males only develop to a length of about 15 inches, while females grow to a length between 26 and 32 inches. The back is yellow or orange with splotches that range in color from medium brown to dark black, and the belly is a pale white or cream color. The tail can’t be curled because it is quite short and swiftly tapers to a dull point. The nostrils are on top of the head, and the eyes are yellow with a slitted pupil. The eyes and nostrils of the boa are situated on the head to prevent obstruction when the snake’s body is buried beneath the sand.
Native Region/Habitat
Eryx colubrinus can be found throughout northern Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and northern Tanzania, from Egypt all the way west to Niger (Ar). In semi-desert areas, shrub savannahs, and rock outcrops, Eryx colubrinus can be found. It favours loose, sandy soil.
Behavior:
Although Eryx colubrinus may occasionally be active during the day, it is most active at night. Being fossorial, this species spends the most of its life underground. E. colubrinus seeks shelter beneath stones and in the tunnels of small mammals during the hottest times of the year. They have also been observed occasionally climbing trees, though.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
When purchasing a new snake, you should educate yourself on both the species and how to properly care for it. Let’s first discuss the type of residence you ought to give your snake. Next we’ll talk about feeding, caring for, and treating a sick Kenyan sand boa.
Kenyan sand boas are little and do not need a lot of area. While giving your snake a larger tank with more substrate to dig in is a good idea, you usually don’t need to supply much more than 20 gallons.
- Hatchling Enclosure Size: 10 Gallons
- Adult Enclosure Size: 20 Gallon
Kenyan sand boas are accustomed to a warm environment in the wild. It makes sense to give your Kenyan sand boa a warm environment in its enclosure. Remember that your snake will occasionally need a cooler environment to simulate the cooler nights it may experience in the wild. An enclosure with a warmer end on one side and a colder end on the other is the solution.
- Temperature at the warmer end: 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit
- 80 degrees Fahrenheit or such would be the cooler end temperature.
- Nighttime temperature: more than 70 °F
Keep the humidity in the enclosure between 30 and 40%. Too much humidity might contribute to respiratory diseases in your snake. By fastening a hygrometer to the enclosure, you can monitor the humidity level there.
When feeding your snake, be mindful of its size. Feed your snake a rodent that is almost the same size as the area of its body that is the widest. Given the typical modest size of a Kenyan sand boa, little mice will typically be sufficient. It is unlikely that your snake will be big enough to require meals made of rats
Table
