Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) (origin: North-eastern Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Kenya and others)). Adult size around males 40–50 cm, females 60–90 cm. Life expectancy 20–30 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Egyptian sand boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 80×45×70 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes).
Egyptian sand boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C (floor heat), at night 24–26 °C (not below 22 °C).
Egyptian sand boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Optional.
Egyptian sand boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–30 years.
Egyptian sand boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 28–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 24–26 °C (not below 22 °C)
- Basking spot
- 33–35 °C (floor heat)
- Humidity
- 30–40 %
- UVB
- Optional
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes)
- Substrate
- A sand or sand-soil mix, at least 10 cm deep for burying
Feeding
- Food
- Mice (frozen-thawed)
- Feeding interval
- Adults every 10–14 days, robust females also every 2–3 weeks; juveniles weekly.
Key facts
- Adult size
- males 40–50 cm, females 60–90 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–30 years
- Origin
- North-eastern Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Kenya and others)
- Protection status
- CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (registration required, Boidae)
- Brumation
- None – NO winter rest (unlike the palaearctic Eryx)
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly is recommended. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision.
Notes
A burrowing desert boa; keep it dry and warm. Easy to care for and non-venomous; as an ambush hunter it is usually buried, with floor heat rather than a spot lamp.
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Related species
- 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
- Dwarf sand boa (Eryx miliaris) – Beginner
- Tatar sand boa (Eryx tataricus) – Beginner
- Javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus) – Beginner
- Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes)), substrate (A sand or sand-soil mix, at least 10 cm deep for burying), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 2 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: EUR-Lex VO (EU) 2026/1383, Gutachten Mindestanforderungen Reptilien, BML 1997 (lokal), Wikipedia EN, einrichtungsbeispiele.de, eu_annex.txt (lokal)
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).