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Care sheet

Kenyan Sand Boa

Gongylophis colubrinus

Also known as: East African Sand Boa, Egyptian Sand Boa

Boidae · Squamata

BeginnerIUCN LC
Activity
🌆 Crepuscular
Temperament
Docile
Adult length
15–30 in
Adult weight
100–500 g
Lifespan (captivity)
15–25 yrs
Native range
East Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt; semi-arid savanna

Care guide

Overview

Kenyan Sand Boa (Gongylophis colubrinus) — Small, heavy-bodied fossorial boid from the semi-arid savannas of East Africa. Spends most of its time buried with just eyes and nostrils exposed, ambushing prey. Simple husbandry: deep dry substrate, a warm end, a small water bowl kept on the cool side. Critical: humidity must be kept low — damp substrate causes scale rot and respiratory issues in this species. Secure any heavy décor; sand boas burrow under everything and can be crushed by shifting hides or rocks.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
75–82 °F
Warm side
85–92 °F
Basking spot
90–95 °F
Nighttime
70–78 °F
Humidity (ambient)
20–40%
Shed-cycle boost
40–55%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Fossorial (burrowing)
Bioactive setup
Not ideal
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingShoebox or 10 gallon
  • Juvenile10–20 gallon
  • Adult20 gallon long minimum (larger acceptable, but floor space > height)

Housing

Substrate

Depth
3–6 in
Safe options
play sandaspen shavingspaper-based bedding
Avoid
cedarpinecalcium sanddamp coco fiber

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Strict carnivore
Prey size by life stage
  • HatchlingPinky mouse
  • JuvenileFuzzy to hopper mouse
  • AdultAdult mouse (small to medium)
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • HatchlingEvery 5–7 days
  • JuvenileEvery 7 days
  • AdultEvery 10–14 days — sedentary; overfeeding is a common mistake
Prey ratio by body weight
Stage
Body weight
Prey (% BW)
Interval
  • Hatchling
    up to 30 g
    10–12%
    5–7 days
  • Juvenile
    31–100 g
    8–10%
    7 days
  • Subadult
    101–250 g
    7–9%
    10–14 days
  • Adult
    251 g+
    5–8%
    14–21 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds
Typical hatchling weight
10–25 g
Power-feeding line
> 12% body weight
30-day weight-loss concern
> 10% in 30 days
Supplementation

Overfeeding is the most common husbandry error. Adults should be weight-monitored; obesity is widespread in captive sand boas.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Small bowl on the cool end. Large bowls raise enclosure humidity and are inappropriate for this species.

Defensive displays
muskingoccasional strike (rare)

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Simple

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Kenyan Sand Boa (East African Sand Boa)

    BGSU Herpetarium

    veterinary

    University herpetarium care sheet for Gongylophis colubrinus.

    Published: 2022-01-01

  2. East African/Egyptian/Kenyan Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus) — Research-Based Husbandry/Care Guide

    Various

    breeder community

    Research-based compilation of sand boa husbandry parameters.

    Published: 2024-01-01

  3. Expert Care For The Kenyan Sand Boa

    Reptiles Magazine

    breeder community

    Industry magazine husbandry reference for Gongylophis colubrinus.

    Published: 2020-01-01