Latin name: Gongylophis colubrinus
Juvenile female, about 14” in length.
She’s eating frozen thawed fuzzy mice 1x per week.
Kenyan Sand Boas are a great choice for a lot of snake owners because of their small size, simple care requirements and extremely docile temperaments. They also come in a variety of attractive colors and patterns. They rarely exceed 3 feet in length with males staying smaller-around 2 feet. They often up to 20 years but can exceed that with some living up to 30 years.
They have a large natural range which encompasses northeast and central eastern Africa.
Quick care stats:
Temperatures: 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the basking area, 80 degrees Fahrenheit on the cool end.
Humidity: 30% for most of the time and up to 60% during their shed cycles.
Tank size: 10 gallons for babies.15-30 gallons for juveniles/adults.
Tank type: Low flat rectangle. These are primarily subterranean snakes who don't climb.
Lighting: Both a heat pad and a dimmable heat lamp are recommended for snakes living in glass tanks. Thermostats are also helpful. Full spectrum UVB lighting is not required for this species but is highly recommended for all reptiles for overall welfare.
Substrate and furniture: Soil, sand, aspen or coconut fiber -anything that is loose and easy to burrow into. 4"deep or deeper. Provide a water dish that is large enough for the snake to curl up into for soaking.
Handling: Kenyan Sand Boas can be handled a few times per week with handling sessions being not much longer than 30-45 minutes.
When not to handle: After the snake has eaten, give them 2-3 days to digest their food before handling them again. When you first bring the snake home or move it to a new enclosure, wait at least 3 days before handling it to give it a chance to settle in to the new environment.
Feeding frequency: every 4-5 days for babies, 1x per week for juveniles and adults. Prey item should be as wide as the widest part of the snake's body.