Rough-scaled sand boa (Gongylophis conicus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Rough-scaled sand boa (Gongylophis conicus) (origin: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka). Adult size around 60–90 cm. Life expectancy 15–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Rough-scaled sand boa: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 80×45×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Eryx).
Rough-scaled sand boa: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 27–33 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 20–24 °C.
Rough-scaled sand boa: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Rough-scaled sand boa: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–25 years.
Rough-scaled sand boa: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 27–33 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 35 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Eryx)
- Substrate
- Sand-loam 10–15 cm for burying, flat stones, a small water dish
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice of a suitable size
- Feeding interval
- every 7–10 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 60–90 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–25 years
- Origin
- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- Protection status
- CITES II
- 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
Strikingly rough, keeled scales on the rear body. It spends almost all day buried – deep substrate matters more than furnishing. Live-bearing, very robust and long-lived.
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Related species
- Egyptian sand boa (Eryx colubrinus colubrinus) – Beginner
- Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari) – Beginner to intermediate
- Caatinga rainbow boa (Epicrates assisi) – Intermediate
- Cerrado rainbow boa (Epicrates crassus) – Intermediate
- Red sand boa (Eryx johnii) – Intermediate
- Kenyan sand boa (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei) – Beginner
- Saharan sand boa (Eryx muelleri) – Beginner
- Colombian rainbow boa (Epicrates alvarezi) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Rough-scaled sand boa (Gongylophis conicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×45×70 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, as for Eryx)), substrate (Sand-loam 10–15 cm for burying, flat stones, a small water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, 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: 25 September 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongylophis_conicus, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Eryx&species=conicus
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).