Description:

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Gongylophis colubrinus - The Kenyan sand boa is a species of small burrowing snake which are native to Egypt and north eastern parts of Africa. The Kenyan sand boa spend most of their lives underground, digging tunnels within sand or loose soil. They will emerge from the safety of these burrows at night under the cover of darkness to hunt and feed.

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Kenyan sand boas are available in 13 distinct morphs. All of which come in speckled/spotted pattern, which are generally are colored with splotches of orange, black or brown.

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These boas have gained a  quick popularity in the pet trade due to their simplistic care requirements and generally docile disposition.

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Size:

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The Kenyan sand boa is a relatively tiny snake. When fully mature females reach can reach a length of slightly more than 2 feet in length (61 centimeters), with male sand boas measuring even smaller.

 

Proportionate to their size, Kenyan sand boas have a wide, round body with a slightly shoveled face. These psychical characteristics assist in digging and living underground. 

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The small size and hardiness of the Kenyan sand boa makes them a popular choice for beginner snake keepers and people with children.

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Temperament:

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Being small while having a natural inclination to hide, Kenyan sand boas are typically shy and will usually attempt to squirm away from human interaction. They may strike if startled, but do not have the size required to impose much pain or damage to a human being. With consistent handling, they can easily become well tempered pets.

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Housing:

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Kenyan sand boas require little space. A 10-20 gallon tank or terrarium with a secure, locking lid is much than sufficient for storing a full grown specimen. 

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I have heard of people successfully keeping them in planted vivarium, but do to their nature to dig, I choose to keep mine in more simplistic setup. They are not large mess producers, and a monthly breakdown/substrate change is more than adequate for upkeep of their living conditions.

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Temperature and Humidity:

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Kenyan sand boas do well with a hot zone of 95 degrees Fahrenheit ranging down to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on the the cooler side of their enclosure. A nightly temperature drop, as they would experience in their natural environment is acceptable but should not be allowed to fall below 75 degrees Fahrenheit .

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I personally use an under tank heating pad for maintaining heat within my sand boa enclosure, as I find that it will keep their substrate consistently warm and cozy, as to their liking. However, overhead heating elements are also and acceptable solution provided you are consistently monitoring these temperatures with an appropriate heat gauge or IR thermometer.

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Kenyan sand boas require a moderately humid environment. An average of 50-60% humidity is ideal. This can be achieved by daily misting, light saturation of their substrate and the placing of a water dish. These levels can and should also be monitored daily through the use of an accurate hygrometer.

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Lighting:

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Kenyan sand boas are generally not thought to require special UVB lighting setups, but can actually reap health benefits from it. Depending on your budget or the complexity of your enclosure, you can decide individually what works best for you. They should however still be given a standard 12 hour day and night time light cycle.

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Substrate:

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I keep my sand boa in sand - mostly because I like the aesthetic, but it also holds heat well and they seem to genuinely enjoy digging in it. However, many types of substrate like coco fiber are viable options. What is most important is that it is loosely packed to allow burrowing, and should be capable of holding humidity well.

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Diet:

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The best easily available staple diet for a Kenyan sand boa is pre-killed mice, with the size of feeder depending on the age and size of the boa.

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Juvenile sand boas should be offered pinky mice once per week. Fully grown specimens can be offered full grown mice bi-weekly.

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In my experience Kenyan sand boas are not fussy eaters and quickly take well to frozen/thawed prey. However, they may occasionally turn down a meal simply because they are not hungry.

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Provide these snakes with a consistent source of fresh treated water at all times.

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Lifespan:

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These small sized animals come with a long-term commitment, as Kenyan sand boas have been known to exceed 30 years of age in captivity under optimal conditions.

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