Kenyan Sand Boa
Basic Information:
Scientific Name: Gongylophis colubrinus
Habitat: Kenyan sand boas can be found in the deserts of north eastern Africa.
Diet: Kenyan sand boas live on rodents (particularly young naked mole rats), lizards, and baby birds.
Size: 1.2 to 2.8 feet long
Weight: About 2 pounds
Lifespan: 15 to 20 years
Distribution Map:
I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:
What does this mean?
Least Concern – a species determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) to be pervasive, abundant, and thriving.
Our Kenyan Sand Boa:
Allistar (Male) – Estimated Date of Birth Between April 2015 & June 2015
Did You Know?!
- Kenyan sand boas have eyes and nostrils placed on their head in such a way so as to remain free of debris when the snake’s body is hidden below the sand.
- Because of the desert heat, Kenyan sand boas are not active during the midday heat and only emerge early in the morning and in the evening to search for food.
- When food is scarce, sand boas may live over a year without any food at all.
- Sand boas are some of the smallest boa species on Earth.
- Kenyan sand boas are known to kill small prey by dragging it under the sand to suffocate it.
- Kenyan sand boas are ovoviviparous meaning that young boas develop inside egg sacs incubated inside the female’s body. After a period of 4 months, she gives birth to 5-12 offspring. The young are completely independent at birth.