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Would a Sand Boa be a good beginner snake? I'm considering this because I love the body shape of Boa's-the thicker body and cool looking head. I'm considering the Sand because they are a lot smaller than normal Boa's. Question is: Are they good beginner snakes? Which is a good species of Sand Boa?

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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

Good! I have some questions pertaining to them(specifically to the Kenyan's)

1.I heard they like to burrow(I'll be sure to provide a deep substrate), but is that ALL they do? Will I ever be able to see him?
2.What is the best substrate for them? I was thinking either just normal play sand(washed of course) or Aspen.
3.How do you take them out of their burrow if you want to handle them? I would think they'd get a little angry, or do they?
4.Would a 20Long tank be good enough for one adult?

Thanks.

1. They will stay buried most of the time. My Kenyan, however, is pretty active and comes out (mostly in the evening). He's in a display tank and likes to climb his plants, his 3D rock wall background, his half log, etc. My Saharan is just as active as well; however, my Roughscaled is hardly out.

2. A lot of people used aspen. I use crushed walnut shells for my Kenyan currently and aspen chips for my other sand boas. I'll probably switch to aspen chips for my Kenyan when I'm out of crushed walnut shells. I've heard of some using sand, but others say it's too heavy and difficult to clean.

3. When I take mine out, I try to come from the side/bottom as to not startle them too much. They will usually try to flatten out making it a bit more difficult, but they've never gotten aggressive, etc. They're pretty laid back.

4. 20L would be great!
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Bredl's Carpet Python "Strider"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
1.0 Saharan Sand Boa "Frodo"
0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
1.0 San Felipe Rosy Boa "Legalos"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Indigo"
1.0 Snow Corn snake "Chile"
0.1 Okeetee Corn snake "Amazon"
1.0 Crested Gecko "Willow"
0.0.1 Irian Jaya BlueTongued Skink
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

I think the best overall species of sandboa as a starter snake is Eryx johnii, the Indian (or Smooth) Sandboa. They are a little harder to find than Kenyans and a little more expensive, but they are much better pets on average.

The reasons...

- johnii eat like pigs. Some kenyans can be picky.

- johnii almost never bite. Some Kenyans are docile, others can be completely untrustworthy. When someone tells you their kenyan never bites, ask how many they have.

- they aren't just a dime a dozen. Everyone has kenyans. Why not go for something a little more interesting?

- If you decide to get a pair and breed them, they are a lot easier to sell than baby kenyans. Take a look at the classifieds and see how many kenyans are available. Then look for some johnii.

Frankly, I don't recall ever talking to anyone who kept both species who thought that Kenyans were a better starter sandboa.
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Chris Harrison