Sand Boa (Eryx colubrinus)

Sand Boa Eryx colubrinus
Name	Sand Boa
Name Lat.	Eryx colubrinus
Synonym	Gongylophis colubrinus
Family	Boas
Family lat.	Boidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Africa
Habitat	Semi-deserts, steppes
Diet	Small mammals
Humidity	40-60 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Ovoviviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	70 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 50 x 60 cm
US Units
Size	28"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 20" x 25"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the ground-dwelling, mainly crepuscular and nocturnal East African sand boas extends from Egypt to Tanzania, west to Libya, Chad and Niger. They inhabit sandy semi-deserts, steppes and light scrubland.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

0,75KL x 0,5KL x 0,5KL (L x W x H)

Body length (KL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the floor space should be increased by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 80 x W 50 x H 60 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a terrarium structured with low climbing branches and stones (hiding places, visual protection), a 10-20 cm deep diggable sand layer (2-3 mm grain size) interspersed with stone chunks and a shallow stone cave. The water basin should be placed slightly elevated to prevent silting. A small part of the substrate should always be kept moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 40-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal.

Diet

They feed on mice, rats and other rodents according to their size. After acclimation, they often succeed in switching to dead food animals (commercial frozen food). Young animals should be offered food every 8-10 days, adults every 14-20 days, with an occasional fasting period (e.g. skip a feeding). Generally, it is better to offer several small feeders, rather than one large one. If she does not eat for an extended period, both the timing and the food should be varied. It is important to enrich the food animals with vitamins and minerals. Since the snake could be injured by live rodents, it should not be left unattended with them.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Probing by the veterinarian is the only reliable method of sex determination

They are viviparous (ovoviviparous). The gestation period is 6-8 months, the fully developed 3-22 young are 12-18 cm long and can be fed young mice

Life expectancy can be 15-20 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

Sand boas like to burrow into the top layer of sand. They are bred in different color and pattern variations

For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-4 hours for 1-3 months and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C, depending on the origin

When handling always have ready snake hooks, protective gloves and cold water.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Clemens Kapsreiter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten -  Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF