Malagasy ground boa (Sanzinia volontany)
Snakes · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Malagasy ground boa (Sanzinia volontany) (origin: Western Madagascar – dry forest). Adult size around 120–170 cm. Life expectancy 20–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Malagasy ground boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 150×85×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar tree boas); height.
Malagasy ground boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Malagasy ground boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).
Malagasy ground boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 20–25 years.
Malagasy ground boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 150×85×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar tree boas); height
- Substrate
- Coco humus and bark mulch, sturdy horizontal branches, a large water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats
- Feeding interval
- every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 120–170 cm
- Life expectancy
- 20–25 years
- Origin
- Western Madagascar – dry forest
- Protection status
- CITES I / EU Annex A – sale only with a valid EU commercial-use certificate
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- 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
Split from S. madagascariensis in 2013, usually brownish-orange rather than green. Live-bearing. Annex A: without yellow CITES papers any sale is prohibited.
Do you keep this species?
Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →
Look for Malagasy ground boa (Sanzinia volontany) in the marketplace →
Related species
- Malagasy tree boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) – Intermediate
- Dumeril's boa (Acrantophis dumerili) – Intermediate
- Madagascar ground boa (Acrantophis madagascariensis) – Intermediate
- Common egg-eating snake (Dasypeltis scabra) – Intermediate
- Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Intermediate
- Andean milk snake (Lampropeltis micropholis) – Intermediate
- Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
- Argentine boa (Boa constrictor occidentalis) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Malagasy ground boa (Sanzinia volontany) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×85×130 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, Madagascar tree boas); height), substrate (Coco humus and bark mulch, sturdy horizontal branches, a large water dish), 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosy_Komba_ground_boa, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Sanzinia&species=volontany
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).