Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) (origin: East Africa). Adult size around females 60–90 cm, males 40–50 cm. Life expectancy 20–30 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Kenyan 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).
Kenyan sand boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 35 °C (local substrate heat), at night 22–25 °C.
Kenyan sand boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Optional.
Kenyan sand boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–30 years.
Kenyan sand boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 28–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 22–25 °C
- Basking spot
- 35 °C (local substrate heat)
- Humidity
- 30–50 %
- UVB
- Optional
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes)
- Substrate
- A deep sand or soil mix they can dig in
Feeding
- Food
- Mice (frozen-thawed)
- Feeding interval
- Every 7–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- females 60–90 cm, males 40–50 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–30 years
- Origin
- East Africa
- Protection status
- Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale.
- Brumation
- Optional
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. 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 and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A small, burrowing boa — easy to care for. Keep it dry, with deep substrate to bury itself in.
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Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) currently offered
- 1.1 Kenianische Sandboas NZ 2025 pos. het.Snow – Pos. Het. Snow(Anery + Albino) · Herne · 50 €
Related species
- Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) – Beginner
- Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari) – Beginner to intermediate
- Red sand boa (Eryx johnii) – Intermediate
- 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 Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size per the 1997 expert report, sand boas, burrowing snakes)), substrate (A deep sand or soil mix they can dig in), 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: einrichtungsbeispiele.de, dubiaroaches.com, african-python.de, Gutachten 1997, Wikipedia EN
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).