Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm strongly considering getting a rough-scaled sand boa. I'm currently keeping mainly small pythons. I've been very tempted to get an Isabel Island boa, but I'm a little intimidated by how (supposedly) picky the Candoias are. Anyway, the rough-scaled strikes me as kind of a poor man's candoia, in terms of overall pattern. But I assume care and feeding is much simpler.

I understand that I'll probably only see it when I'm handling it, as it will remain burried most of the time. Does this all sound about right? Any tips or comments would be appreciated.

Rough scales are pretty easy. They can handle a wide range of temps. I usually hibernate mine along with my colubrids (50-60°).
I prefer to keep mine on sand, because it's a bit more natural. Of all the sand boas, they seem to hang out on the surface more.
They are not what I'd consider a really "handleable" snake, but I do enjoy watching them, & they are my favorite sand boa.
The female in the picture (taken about 15 years ago) is about 25 years old now. She's about 28" /-; males only get to about 18".
Candoia need to be kept warmer & a bit more humid - I'd use cypress mulch as a substrate. Males get to about 2', female to a bit over 4'. Once you get the babies feeding, they're fine. Out of a litter of 75, I got seven of them to take live pinks right from the start; most of the others wanted Mediterranean or house geckos. A few just wouldn't eat, but with that many, who cares? Get one that's started on pinks already.
Good luck with whichever you choose.
Max

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"I may be crazy, but ya know... I can rationalize just about anything."

I have to agree. They may look similar, but they are very different. (I have only kept two Candoia and 6 conicus).

Keeping a well started Candoia is like keeping any other easy boid. They eat well, get tame and really don't require much special consideration.

Rough-scaleds, on the other hand, can be annoying feeders. Females are usually pigs, but these are animals that will refuse a meal now and then. If that troubles you, you might want to try another species.
Most conicus are pretty handleable, but a few can be unpredictably snappy, even as adults.

They are both great snakes. You just have to realize you aren't dealing with a corn snake or boa constrictor here.
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Chris Harrison
Central Texas

have to reccomend that either one you decide on shouldnt be kept on sand. Even it does look more natural. Realisticaly, sand boas spend most of there time in burrows etc, they dont necc. crawl under sand all day. From now and again yes, but they shouldnt be confined in sand. To many problems (can ) arise from it and aspen is cheaper, lighter and less of a smell (all imo of course) Jon

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FREEDOM PEACE UNITY ONE LOVE

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, I was planning to use Aspen bedding. Maybe about 2-3 inches deep, and add a couple of pieces of slate on the top to make some places where the snake can feel 'weight' above it. Does that sound about right? Also, is a UTH suitable for this setup, or should I just go with back heat?

Thanks again everyone.

I personally think the "weight on top" thing is not an issue. With my sanboa experience, they dont really ustilise any of the "cage furniture" For the 3 years I worked w/ kenyans (granted that isn't long enough to consider myself a sand boa expert) I saw the male come out and bask on a makeshift talus slup I had 3 times in 3 years. Not to see they didnt utilise this w/ out my knowledge but who knows. If you arent breeding the boas, it doesn't neccesarily matter what heat source you want to use. Heat bulb, uth, heat tape ect. As long as it coordinates w/ the snakes appropriate temps. Again, I am a rosy boa guy so this is all imo and had no problems w/ my eryx. Actually I had a female give birth in a 20 long w/ only a 60 watt red bulb on all day (24 hrs) and no belly heat. Not that I am condoning that LOL, it just happened, roots

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FREEDOM PEACE UNITY ONE LOVE