A large supply of frozen-thawed rodents for feeding, including pinky mice for the babies Unlike when breeding ball pythons and other oviparous snakes, you won’t need an egg incubator. Kenyan sand boas are live-bearing: they give birth to babies, instead of laying eggs.
What do Kenyan sand boas eat?
Kenyan sand boas are some of the smallest pet snakes and they will never grow big enough to eat rats or larger mice. Feed them small mice and nothing else. Get frozen mice and thaw them before feeding. The mouse should be about as wide as the fattest part of the snake’s body.
Can You Buy Baby sand boa snakes?
The captive-bred baby snakes are widely available. Adult Rough-Scaled sand boas are calm like the Kenyan sand boas. However, the babies and wild-caught snakes could be nippy. Also called the Indian sand boa, these are the biggest sand boas.
Is a Kenyan sand boa a good pet for beginners?
They need a hot and cool habitat for temperature regulation, a healthy diet, and proper handling to ensure they are happy and healthy. Snakes, such as the Kenyan Sand Boa, are not pets you can just set down and forget. That said, the Kenyan sand boa is one of my top picks for reptile keepers of all levels.
What supplements should I give my Kenyan sand boa?
A popular supplement that can be given to Kenyan Sand Boas is Repashy Calcium Plus LoD. This helps prevent any deficiencies the snake may have with nutrition. It utilizes an “all-in-one” method of helping your sand boa have healthier nutrition.
How often should I feed my baby Sand Boa?
once a weekFood and Water: Boas eat rodents no larger than the snake's girth. Baby Sand Boas should be fed once a week.
How much should I feed my Kenyan sand boa?
An associate at the pet store should be able to help you pick a good size. Feed your sand boa 1 mouse every 7-14 days. Females tend to eat more frequently, so offer your female snake food once a week. Your male snake will typically only want to eat every 10-14 days.
Should I mist my Kenyan sand boa?
That being said, unavoidable high humidity throughout the enclosure can be detrimental to your Kenyan Sand Boa's health. Here are a few things you can do to keep the humidity down: Avoid misting the entire habitat. Ensure that there are enough ventilation ports in the enclosure.
How long can baby Kenyan sand boas go without eating?
How Long Can Snakes Go Without Eating?Pet snake typesRegular feedingHow long can they go without eating?Garter SnakeEvery other day juveniles Once a week adults2 to 3 monthsSmooth Green SnakeOnce or twice per weekA few weeksCape House SnakeOnce a weekA few weeksKenyan Sand BoaOnce a weekUp to a year9 more rows
What do Kenyan sand boa babies eat?
What Do Kenyan Sand Boas Eat For Food? The Kenyan sand boa has a strong appetite for live reptile food, specifically mice. Baby Kenyan sand boas typically prefer live pinky mice to get started, but with maturity, they almost always switch to frozen/thawed prey. Even with dead food, the prey is usually constricted.
How do I get my baby sand boa to eat?
Sometimes offering dead rodents with forceps will be acceptable. To encourage the snake, either wave the rodent gently in front of the sand boa or alternatively, gently press the food item up against the lower part of the mouth opening for a second. Sand Boas usually prefer to eat at dusk or after dark.
What bedding is best for sand boas?
The Kenyan sand boa loves to burrow, so plan for a substrate to be your main feature. They love sand, aspen bedding, coconut mulch, and even newspaper. We recommend to use natural aspen bedding from Galapagos.
Do Kenyan sand boas need a night light?
Do Kenyan sand boas need UVB? They can survive without it, but it's still best practice to provide UVB lighting for optimal health and wellbeing.
How fast do Kenyan sand boas grow?
Once they reach adulthood, at about 15 months to 2 years of age depending on feeding schedules, they frequently eat very little, especially in the summer breeding season. The females will generally reach about 24-36 inches, with 28 being typical, and will weigh in the neighborhood of 400-900 + grams.
How do you force feed boa sand?
0:223:41How to Force Feed a Snake - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKind of wean them over to assist feeding where you might open their mouth place the food item inMoreKind of wean them over to assist feeding where you might open their mouth place the food item in their mouth let them swallow it on their own and we're gonna do it on a regular schedule.
How big of a tank does a sand boa need?
15-20 gallon tankDue 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.
Will a snake starve itself to death?
Yes they can and will starve them selves to death.
How many gallons does a Kenyan sand boa need?
15-20 gallonDue 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.
How long does it take for a Kenyan sand boa to reach full size?
about 15 months to 2 yearsOnce they reach adulthood, at about 15 months to 2 years of age depending on feeding schedules, they frequently eat very little, especially in the summer breeding season. The females will generally reach about 24-36 inches, with 28 being typical, and will weigh in the neighborhood of 400-900 + grams.
Do Kenyan sand boas like to be held?
Do Kenyan Sand Boas Like To Be Held? Sand Boas are known to tolerate handling and rarely bite their handler. However, if you approach their burrow directly some Boas have a strong feeding response and will strike. It is important to give a snake time to adjust to their enclosure before handling.
How often can I handle my Kenyan sand boa?
Common Pet Snakes And How Often They Can Be HandledType of SnakeHow Often They Can Be HandledMilk SnakeEvery other or every dayKenyan Sand BoaEvery day (except after eating)Eastern and Western Hognose SnakeEvery other or every dayRubber BoaDaily (except after eating)16 more rows
What is a Kenyan sand boa?
Kenyan Sand Boas are girthy snakes. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see girth measurements remain constant throughout the length of the body. Except for the tip of the tail and head, these snakes are very uniform.
What to feed a snake?
Feeder mice are your best bet when it comes to providing a balanced diet. You can also dust the live or thawed snakes with calcium and vitamin powders if necessary.
How long do sand boas live?
The average Kenyan Sand Boa lifespan is around 20 years with the right care. However, some owners have reported these snakes living past 30 years of age!
Why are sand boas so popular?
Let’s start with their cage. One of the biggest reasons that Kenyan Sand Boas are so popular is that they don’t need a massive enclosure.
Why do sand boas burrow in the sand?
In the wild, they will burrow in the sand to hide and protect themselves from the scorching African sun. That behavior will continue in captivity.
What color are Albino sand boas?
Albino Kenyan Sand Boas are quite popular. They’re unable to produce black pigment, so they typically take on a pink or light orange hue. The same saddleback pattern on their backs is present, but it’s much more subdued.
How big is a sand boa?
Males, on the other hand, tend to be a bit smaller. The maximum size of a male Kenyan Sand Boa is around 18 to 20 inches. Expert Tip: If you want to maximize the size of this species you’ll need to give them a large enclosure and a healthy diet.
What substrate do sand boas need?
Best substrate for Kenyan sand boas. As a fossorial (burrowing) species, Kenyan sand boas do best when they have a thick, 6” layer of sandy substrate in their enclosure. Aside from helping maintain healthy humidity levels and facilitating natural behavior, it will also help make your enclosure more attractive!
How much humidity does a sand boa need?
Average air humidity in your sand boa’s enclosure should be between 60-80%, as measured by a digital probe hygrometer placed in the middle of the enclosure.
What type of UVB bulbs do sand boas use?
Kenyan sand boas do best with low-strength UVB as part of their enclosure. The best UVB bulbs for Kenyan sand boas vary based on the size of the enclosure:
How long do sand boas live?
Kenyan sand boas are popular pet snakes due to their manageable size, docile nature, slow movement, and ease of keeping. With good care, they can live up to 30 years.
What does an empty terrarium do to a sand boa?
An empty terrarium makes for a bored sand boa, reducing its quality of life. Keep your pet entertained and engaged with its environment with the strategic use of décor items that encourage it to exercise natural behaviors!
How to thaw a snake's prey?
Prey items should be around 10% of the snake’s weight and roughly the same width. Prey should be thawed in a BPA-free plastic bag in warm water until it reaches ~100°F, then use a pair of soft-tipped feeding tweezers to offer it to your snake. To reduce the chances of excess substrate ingestion, use a paper plate.
Do sand boas eat whole animals?
Kenyan sand boas are carnivorous, which means that they need to eat whole animal prey in order to get the right nutrition. Here is a basic feeding schedule:
When do sand boas eat?
Sand Boas usually prefer to eat at dusk or after dark. While this is the best time to offer food, you should never leave live rodents in a cage overnight with your snakes.
How to get a snake to swallow a pinkie?
As a last resort, I hold the snake behind the head and place a small pinkie in the snake's mouth and put it down gently to see if it will swallow the pinkie. Sometimes you have to do this several times before the snake will swallow the pinkie. Some snakes will not respond to this method and as it is stressful, I usually give up after 5 tries.
How to get a baby snake to lunge at a pinkie?
This is done by getting the baby snake excited with a preferred food item (such as a lizard) by dragging that food around the cage. When the baby snake starts actively pursuing the prey item and lunging for it, keep the prey item out of reach and quicky substitute the pinkie in front of one of the lunges. This trick works better if the pinkie is scented first and is surprisingly effective with some species of Sand Boa (and also by the way with baby Hognose Snakes Heterodon sp.).
Do sand boas eat rats?
Most adult Sand Boas eat commercially available rodents. However, most Eryx prefer small food items not much larger in diameter than their bodies. Many also prefer nestling rodents to adults, for example, a large E. tataricus I had consistently refused dead or alive adult mice, but readily consumed smaller (crawler) mice and crawler rats, many of which were larger than the adult mice I offered!
What is a sand boa?
Image Source. Sand boas are great reptile pets. They exist in different types which are all beautiful and eye-catchy. They have very thick and keeled scales. Their bodies are short and have smoother scales on the side dorsal rows.
How big do sand boas get?
Image Source. Also called the Indian sand boa, these are the biggest sand boas. Adult females can sometimes grow for up to 4 ft. These snakes change colors as they grow. Babies will have a beautiful orange hue coming with nice black bands. Eventually, their color will change to brown as they grow.
Why are sand boas expensive?
Sand boas seem to be two-headed snakes because their tails look like their second head. Also, these snakes are among the protected species which one can’t own without the needed documents, making the sand boas for sale expensive.
Do sand boas have venom or fangs?
Sand boas are non-venomous just like the other boas. They have sharp teeth ( no fangs) and a constricting ability used in killing their prey.
Are sand boas friendly?
Sand boas are naturally quiet. They also tend to be docile and easy to handle, which is why they are highly recommended reptiles to own for beginners.
Are sand boas fast-growing snakes?
Sand boas reach adulthood at around 15 months to 2 years. Their growth depends on their feeding schedules, though.
Why do people kill sand boas?
These include road kills or killing caused by confusion with some dangerous species of snakes like the Viper. Unintentional killings of sand boas are done during agricultural and digging activities since these snakes are burrowers. In some parts of the world, people are taking sand boas for food.
What is the best water conditioner for Kenyan Sand Boa?
The best water conditioner is Reptisafe. It is very easy to use. All you do is add the correct amount of water conditioner to the water to make it chlorine neutral. It removes not only chlorine, but all chemicals that are dangerous to the Kenyan sand boa. Plus it adds some extra things like calcium and electrolytes.
Where does the Kenyan Sand Boa come from?
Kenyan Sand Boa. As the name might suggest, the Kenyan sand boa originates from Kenya in Africa, especially from the coastal areas. As mentioned, these snakes are very popular as pets and are easy to find. These are very easy snakes to look after and are great beginner snakes. Let’s find out exactly what it takes to care for a Kenyan sand boa.
What is the humidity of a sand boa snake?
Humidity is the percentage of moisture in the air. It is measured in percentages, from 0 – 100%. Getting the right humidity for this snake is relatively simple. The Kenyan sand boa prefers lower humidity, because it comes from a dry region in Africa. 20 to 50% humidity is perfect for this snake. There also should be no moisture on the sides ...
How hot should a snake cage be?
This means you will need to keep their enclosure nice and warm. You should maintain a temperature of around 80° Fahrenheit one one side of the cage and create a hot spot on the other side that is 90° to 95° Fahrenheit.
How to keep a snake warm in a snake enclosure?
Put the heat mat underneath one side of the enclosure. Ideally, it should be beneath on of the snake hides. This way the snake can keep warm while also feeling secure inside the hide.
What is the best substrate for a snake?
The best type of substrate for this snake are aspen shavings, as they can burrow into it. It also stays dry which is good for the health of the snake. Add at least a few inches into the tank, but the more, the better, because they love to hide under the substrate.
Why can't snakes eat sand?
The question is why not just use normal sand, since it is what they are used to in their natural environment? The problem is that the snake can accidentally ingest the small sand grains, since they easily end up in its nose or mouth. Over time, this can cause issues with their health and could even lead to death.
What is the best supplement for sand boas?
A popular supplement that can be given to Kenyan Sand Boas is Repashy Calcium Plus LoD. This helps prevent any deficiencies the snake may have with nutrition. It utilizes an “all-in-one” method of helping your sand boa have healthier nutrition.
Why are sand boas so hard to care for?
Temperature and humidity can be one of the hardest aspects of Kenyan sand boa care. Certain snakes require specific temperature and humidity conditions. This is primarily due to snakes being cold-blooded. Cold-blooded animals cannot internally regulate their body temperature.
How big do sand boas get?
Kenyan Sand Boas usually reach up to 2 feet in length . Females can grow up to 30 inches, while males tend to grow only 15-20 inches
What are the defenses of a sand boa?
Kenyan Sand Boas have specific defense responses, one of them is protecting the entrance to its burrow
What color are sand boas?
Kenyan Sand Boas have a unique look about them. Most Kenyan Sand Boas, as mentioned, will be yellow or orange with dark blotches spread about. There are different morphs (breeds) of this snake, however. The two most popular morphs are:
What happens if you notice a sand boa?
If you notice your sand boa surfaced in their enclosure (not hiding) then they are likely calm and will allow you to pick it up
Can you handle a sand boo?
They generally do not mind being held. In fact, they are among the easiest of pet snakes to handle. You may wonder when it is appropriate to handle a Kenyan Sand Boa. Handling a Kenyan Sand Boa can be broken down easily:
How Long Are Kenyan Sand Boas Gravid?
Once your Kenyan sand boas have locked up, it’s a matter of time before the female gives birth. However, the exact length of time can appear to vary quite dramatically.
How old do sand boas have to be to breed?
Males and females reach sexual maturity at different points. A male Kenyan sand boa must be over 1 year old, and at least 75 grams in weight.
How are sand boas determined?
Kenyan sand boa morphs are determined by DNA: they are the result of genetic mutations. If you know which genes your Kenyan sand boas carry, you can predict what their offspring will look like.
What is a morph in a sand boa?
One of the most exciting parts of breeding Kenyan sand boas is producing morphs. A morph is a snake that looks different to the standard wild-type Kenyan sand boa. It may have a different color, a different pattern, or both.
When do sand boas shed their skin?
During April, your female Kenyan sand boa will shed her skin. This is a sign that she’s ready to be introduced to the male. It’s up to you whether you put the male into the female’s enclosure, or the other way around. For the first couple of hours, monitor your snakes carefully.
When do sand boas mate?
1) Prepare Kenyan Sand Boas for Breeding. Kenyan sand boa breeding season is during the spring. Most snakes will mate between March and May, and give birth in the summer or early fall. This breeding pattern is common among many species of snakes.
What should be in a lidded tub for babies?
Several small lidded tubs for the babies to live in. Each should contain some substrate, a hide, and a water dish
1. Before Breeding
Before you even start breeding, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. You need to think about your motivation for wanting to breed snakes.
3. Check for Signs of Ovulation
In the spring, you might notice ovulation signs in your female Kenyan sand boa. Ovulation occurs when her eggs have matured and are ready for fertilization.
4. Look for Signs the Female is Pregnant
If your Kenyan sand boas mating turned out successful, the female will be pregnant. It means eggs inside her are developing. There are some signs your female is pregnant and you should check them out.
5. Separate the Male and the Female
When you are sure the female is pregnant, you can remove the male from her enclosure and feed him because he will surely be hungry. Now you can reintroduce the male to his normal routine.
6. Remove the Babies Soon After Birth
Your Kenyan sand boa will shed again in August or September, which indicates that she is ready to give birth. This mostly happens at night.
7. Feed the Babies
Some babies will be ready to eat right away. However, most newborns will not show any interest in food until their first shed. This usually occurs 1-2 weeks after the birth.
8. Take Care Of Hatchlings
Snakes born in captivity are easy to take care of. They are less aggressive and much better adapted to the environment, and easy to feed. As I mentioned before, Kenyan sand boas babies love pinkie mice. Besides, they are in good physical and mental health because they have avoided all the hassle of adapting to new surroundings.