Dwarf sand boa (Eryx miliaris)

Short answers

Dwarf sand boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 80×40×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes). A burrowing animal: floor area matters more than height.

Dwarf sand boa: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C (hot spot above the substrate), at night 18–22 °C.

Dwarf sand boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (burrowing/crepuscular), low UVB optional.

Dwarf sand boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: up to ~20 years.

Dwarf sand boa: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C (hot spot above the substrate)

Humidity

30–50 % (dry)

UVB

UVB not essential (burrowing/crepuscular), low UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×40×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes). A burrowing animal: floor area matters more than height

Substrate

Fine sand or a sand-loam mix they can dig in, at least 8–10 cm deep

Feeding

Food

Mice (frozen-thawed), occasionally small rats; pinkies for juveniles

Feeding interval

adults every 7–14 days, juveniles every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

females 50–80 cm, males 30–45 cm (a strong sexual dimorphism)

Life expectancy

up to ~20 years

Origin

The steppes and deserts of Central Asia – Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Mongolia, China

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (Boidae); registration required in Germany

Brumation

A cooler overwintering of 8–12 weeks at ~10–15 °C, mainly to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended – put them together only for supervised breeding; feed them strictly separately (a risk of mistaking each other for prey and of cannibalism)

Notes

A small, very robust sand boa; it lives almost entirely buried and surfaces only to hunt. Conditions that are too damp lead to skin and scale problems. The "Russian" and the "eastern / dwarf sand boa" refer to the same species.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Dwarf sand boa (Eryx miliaris) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) – Beginner
• Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari) – Beginner to intermediate
• Red sand boa (Eryx johnii) – Intermediate
• Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) – Beginner
• Saharan sand boa (Eryx muelleri) – Beginner
• Tatar sand boa (Eryx tataricus) – Beginner
• Javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus) – Beginner
• Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dwarf sand boa (Eryx miliaris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×40×60 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes). A burrowing animal: floor area matters more than height), substrate (Fine sand or a sand-loam mix they can dig in, at least 8–10 cm deep), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.