Kenyan Sand Boa – Gongylophis (Eryx) colubrinus

Kenyan Sand Boa – Gongylophis (Eryx) colubrinus

The Kenyan sand boa is heavily-built snake with a small head, small eyes, vertical pupils, and a short tail. Scale texture is extremely smooth, except on the tail, which is covered in bumps. Adult female specimens of G. colubrinus are rarely more than 91 cm (3 feet) in total length (including tail). The average Kenyan sand boa grows no longer than 12-24″ (30-60cm) long, with males being significantly smaller than females.

The colour pattern may consist of a yellow or orange coloration overlaid with dark brown splotches. The belly is white or cream coloured. It is readily available in the pet trade due to its small size, docility and ease of care. In recent years there have been a number of new morphs made available by both commercial and hobby breeders. Some of the more popular morphs available include anerythristic Kenyan sand boas (black and white lacking orange/red simple recessive trait), albino Kenyan sand boas (lacking black pigment simple recessive), snow KSBs (double recessive combination of an anery and albino), stripes (normal coloured, anerythristic, albino and snow), hypo/ghost, anerythristic KSBs, paradox albinos (simple recessive), paradox snows (double recessive trait), splash (recessive), paint (recessive) and stripe combinations with any of the listed recessive traits. In addition many line bred traits have been accentuated on the above morphs, such as Nuclears (extreme red), High Whites, Reduced Patterns as examples.

Corn Snake CARE SHEET 2021