How long do Kenyan Sand Boas live?
Kenyan sand boas live 15-20 years (some to 30) and reach 14-26 inches (35-65 cm), females the larger; adults weigh 250-600 grams.
What do Kenyan Sand Boas eat?
They eat frozen-thawed mice: pinkies for hatchlings, adult mice for large females. Feed every 7-14 days, one prey item no wider than the snake's girth. They ambush from sand, so place food on the surface. Never feed live prey; no insects or plants.
Kenyan Sand Boa enclosure setup
A 10-20 gallon terrarium with 4-6 inches of aspen or sand substrate for burrowing suits an adult. Provide a warm side of 90-95°F (32-35°C) and a cool side of 75-80°F (24-27°C); nights drop to 70°F (21°C). Humidity 40-50% with a water bowl kept shallow (hatchlings can drown in deep water). UVB is optional. A tight lid is essential.
Common mistakes with Kenyan Sand Boas
Common errors: deep water bowls (drowning risk for small boas), overly wet substrate (scale rot), feeding live prey, and a lid that is not escape-proof (they push through gaps).
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Deep water bowl — small sand boas can drown.
- Wet substrate — scale rot in a desert burrower.
- Live feeding — injuries from rodents.
- Loose lid — they are escape artists through gaps.