Can you own a sand boa?

A Kenyan sand boa is an excellent beginner snake, and if you like the idea of frequently handling your pet, this might be the snake for you. It doesn’t get very large—adult females typically max out at a bit more than 2 feet, and males around 20 inches—and is usually quite accommodating.

Can you keep 2 sand boas together?

You can house two females or a male and female together, but not two males. If you house more than one Sand Boa together, always feed each one individually.

Are sand boas expensive?

It is one of the costliest creatures in international black market with the price of a single sand boa ranging from lakhs to crores of rupees. More so, the demand for Indian Sand Boa in the world market, especially in Malaysia, China, and a few south-east Asian countries is high.

How big can sand boas get?

Characteristics. Kenyan sand boas are heavy-bodied stout snakes with a blunt head, small eyes, and a thick, short body and tail. Females are larger, reaching length between 26 and 32 inches, while males grow to about 15 inches.

Do sand boa bites hurt?

A bite from a Kenyan sand boa is no more severe than a scratch from a housecat, to put it into perspective, but it can still be painful for you and traumatic for the snake, and for these reasons a bite should be avoided.

How often can I handle my 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.

Do sand boas need a heat lamp at night?

Provide heat for your Kenyan sand boa by imitating the sun with a halogen heat lamp placed on one side of the enclosure, positioned over the warm hide. Do not use ceramic heat emitters (CHEs), heat mats, red bulbs, or blue bulbs, as these are not as effective. Heating should be turned off at night.

How big of a tank does a sand boa need?

15-20 gallon tank
Due to their small size and inactive nature, sand boas can be housed in an enclosure that is both small and convenient. Young boas can be housed in a 10-gallon tank, while single adults should be housed in a 15-20 gallon tank.

Do sand boas bite?

Any creature with teeth can bite and Kenyan sand boas often do. They are more apt to bite than many snake species. Even when regularly handled, many sand boas retain this tendency. Although this snake is fairly small, its strike is startlingly fast and its jaws are strong.

How long do sand boas live?

The Kenyan Sand Boa is found in semi-arid desert regions or rock outcroppings of Northeastern Africa: From Egypt, to Tanzania, and west Somalia to Kenya. Lifespan: Sand boas typically live into their mid-teens. Some in captivity have lived up to 20 years.

Do Sand Boa bites hurt?

What size cage does a sand boa need?

Should you keep sand boas on sand?

Despite their name, Kenyan Sand Boas do not require sand. They do however require dry substrate that allows for burrowing behaviors such as Zilla Bark Blend , Zilla Desert Blend, and Zilla Snake and Lizard Litter.

How big of a tank does a Sand Boa need?

Is a sand boa a good pet snake?

These snakes are a good option for reptile hobbyists who want to care for a Boa constrictor. They belong to the larger Boa constrictor family. However, they are much smaller and far easier to care for. Kenyan Sand Boas are beautiful pets that don’t require a ton of specialized care.

Are Kenyan sand boas good snakes for beginners?

Kenyan sand boas are popular snakes for beginners. Their docile nature and small size make them easy to care for. These sand boas require a warm enclosure to match their East African natural habitat. You can feed your Kenyan sand boa small mice. Be sure to provide your pet with plenty of substrate to dig in, since it is a burrowing snake.

Are Boas for sale dangerous?

Boas have a reputation as a dangerous animal. You might wonder, if you choose to keep a boa constrictor as a pet, will it hurt you? Boa constrictors can be safe pets. While they are large and strong, they are not deadly snakes. Boas do not eat humans, but there are many incidents of them biting humans.

Do sand boas have a back bone?

Do snakes have a backbone? Yes, snakes do have a backbone. All of the species of snakes have a backbone which is also known as the vertebral column. Their body is very flexible and they can crawl super easily due to many vertebrae (small bones that form the backbone). Animals with bones are known as vertebrates, and snakes are all vertebrates.