Care Sheet for BoasAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.73 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 12/03/2006 |
Main Category: | Snakes |
Sub Category: | Boas |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Motley |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | Kenyan Sand Boa |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Sand Boas are sexually dimorphic, with the females being much larger than the males. The spurs on males are usually much more obvious. Males average 12 to 20". Females average 18 to 30" in adulthood. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Sand can be used but i prefer commercial Reptile Bedding, which is good for burrowing in and less likely to be swallowed with food. Depth of substrate should be at least twice the width of the snake. A small water bowl can be put in the cool end of the vivarium. A piece of bark can be used for hides at each end of the vivarium. My boa often prefers the hide to burrowing. Hides aren’t necessary but they do improve the chances of seeing your boa on top of the substrate. |
Lighting and UVB: | No lighting necessary unless needed for extra warmth. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | 27c - 32c at one end of vivarium. 22 - 26c at other end. Room humidity is fine,if it is no higher than 60%. |
Heating and Equipment: | Heat mat fixed to the back and to one side of the vivarium,and its always worth setting up to accommodate a low wattage bulb for extra heat, just in case.
Heat mats can be fixed to the bottom if you prefer, as i have heard of people doing it this way with no ill effect, but bare in mind that wild Sand Boas try to escape heat by burrowing, so it isn’t very natural,and if using a high wattage mat ,could cause burns. |
Caging Provided: | 20 gallon (approx 18"x15"X18") minimum for a male or average sized female. 25 - 30 gallon for large female. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Mice of appropriate size. Start on pinkies and work up to adults (some males may never manage adult mice). Feed one or two mice that are as thick as the thickest part of the snakes body once a week for the first two years. Feed once every two weeks from then on. BE FLEXIBLE. some snakes eat more than others. If the snake is actively looking for food,give it some. When Sand Boas are hunting you will see their head just poking out of the substrate waiting for prey to walk by, ready to ambush.
Rat pups can also be used as food. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | I give mine a pinch of vitamin calcium supplement once a month to be on the safe side.
As they eat whole animal foods they are probably OK without. |
Maintenance: | All feces should be removed when seen. The substrate should be changed and the vivarium and hides(if cleanable) should be cleaned and disinfected every 3 weeks or so. |
Some Words on this Species: | Kenyan Sand Boas are usually very docile but can bite occasionally. They should be picked up by sliding your hand underneath them and lifting to reduce the chance of them getting nervous and biting. |
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