Javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus)

Short answers

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

From 80×45×65 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes); a burrowing animal: floor area matters more than height.

Javelin 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.

Javelin sand boa: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB optional.

Javelin sand boa: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~10–20 years.

Javelin 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, low UVB optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×45×65 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), small rodents; in the wild also lizards; pinkies or small lizards for juveniles

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~80 cm (females 46–71 cm, males 30–46 cm; maximum ~84 cm)

Life expectancy

~10–20 years

Origin

South-eastern Europe (the Balkans, Greece), the Caucasus, the Near East, North Africa, Turkey

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (Boidae), registration required; wild populations in the EU are protected (Bern Convention) – only legal captive-bred animals with proof of origin

Brumation

A winter rest of 8–12 weeks at ~8–15 °C (November to March in its habitat); important for health and breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended – put them together only for supervised breeding; feed them separately (they mistake each other for prey)

Notes

A small burrowing boa from more temperate regions with a need for a winter rest. Some of the husbandry figures are derived from the genus Eryx. An ambush hunter that emerges from the sand only to hunt.

Do you keep this species?

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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
• Dwarf sand boa (Eryx miliaris) – Beginner
• Tatar sand boa (Eryx tataricus) – Beginner
• Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Javelin sand boa (Eryx jaculus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×45×65 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.