Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok, I'm thinking about buying a Kenyan Sand Boa, and I was wondering how their temperment is. are they agressive? territorial?
thanks

East African Sandboas (Kenyans) vary in temperament. Some individuals are puppy tame from birth to death while others are snappy their whole lives.

Sandboas really aren't aggressive, they are more defensive. In other words, if you reach in and pick one up and it isn't expecting to be disturbed, it will often strike. The bites aren't the "coil up and strike" bites like ratsnakes or pythons will make. They are typically a sideways slashing strike that misses more often than not. Some snakes will bite once, and then relax.

But as I said, many East African Sandboas are tame as puppies their whole life.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I have quite a few kenyans right know and some are difinetly more tame than others, however I think this is due to lack of handling more than anything. As Chris mentioned, they will hit you with a sideways motion, not straight on, and they don't hold on. 95% of the time they don't even bite but just thump you with the side of their head or tail and usually only once then calm down.
Kenyans are mostly a slow moving and deliberate animal that usually at adulthood will be easily handled. some will remain twitchy thier whole lives.
-----
Steve Perry
North Idaho.