Kenyan Sand Boas are the most common sand boa kept as pets probably due to their smaller size and ease of care in captivity. These snakes come in a variety of colors and patterns and with the proper treatment can live up to 15 years so it is important to know the commitment before bringing one of these into your home as a pet.
Housing: A variety of enclosure types can be used for Kenyan Sand Boas including aquariums and tubs. Adult males can be housed comfortably in a 10 gallon aquarium (or an enclosure of similar size) but adult females need at least a 20 gallon aquarium or 28qt tub. Babies and young juveniles can be housed critter keepers or 6 qt tubs.
Substrate: Though their name includes the word "sand", most keepers would recommend using aspen shavings or recycled newspaper as a substrate for this species instead of sand for sanitary reasons as well as to diminish the rest of impaction.
Temps: These snakes should be kept at temperatures between 80-85 degrees with a basking spot of 90-95 degrees. They can handle drops down to 75 degrees but this should not be the constant for them. Maintaining these temps can be down by using a properly sized UTH.
Humidity: Humidity should be kept in the middle range between 40-50%.
Feeding: Kenyan Sand Boas should be fed appropriately sized mice every 5-7 days as a baby and once a week to once a month as an adult depending on their size.
These boas do drink water so it's important to have a dish with clean water available to them at all times.
Handling: Kenyan Sand Boas tend to be a docile species but can be nippy as babies (like most other snakes).
Housing: A variety of enclosure types can be used for Kenyan Sand Boas including aquariums and tubs. Adult males can be housed comfortably in a 10 gallon aquarium (or an enclosure of similar size) but adult females need at least a 20 gallon aquarium or 28qt tub. Babies and young juveniles can be housed critter keepers or 6 qt tubs.
Substrate: Though their name includes the word "sand", most keepers would recommend using aspen shavings or recycled newspaper as a substrate for this species instead of sand for sanitary reasons as well as to diminish the rest of impaction.
Temps: These snakes should be kept at temperatures between 80-85 degrees with a basking spot of 90-95 degrees. They can handle drops down to 75 degrees but this should not be the constant for them. Maintaining these temps can be down by using a properly sized UTH.
Humidity: Humidity should be kept in the middle range between 40-50%.
Feeding: Kenyan Sand Boas should be fed appropriately sized mice every 5-7 days as a baby and once a week to once a month as an adult depending on their size.
These boas do drink water so it's important to have a dish with clean water available to them at all times.
Handling: Kenyan Sand Boas tend to be a docile species but can be nippy as babies (like most other snakes).
care sheets
A guide to all the current sand boa morphs currently available