Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've become interested in Sand Boas as of late and would love to be able to keep two together in the same tank. However, having experience with other snakes, I know this is not always possible, and would like some advice on this issue as it pertains to Sand Boas.

In the case that it is possible to house them together, would a 30gallon suffice? Also, contrary to their namesake, I've read that sand is not the preferred choice for these snakes, but I would love to hear some opinions on that. I plan on never feeding inside the tank, using instead a plastic tub instead.

Am I too late into the '09 breeding season to be able to find Kenyans now? Also, are there any breeders out there that people can recommend? I've searched Google and some classified ads, but I've always preferred the opinions of people here.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate any and all advice.

I have housed kenyans together successfully for years now. If you don't want babies I wouldn't house a male/female together. I also would recommend against housing two males together. Babies and juveniles will require a much smaller enclosure than a 30gal. tank (5-10 gal tank would probably work for 1-1.5 years). Two female subadults/adults can be housed in a 15-20 gal tank (or something about 16" x 24" x 6" ~28 qt plastic tub).

I have tried numerous types of bedding and always come back to aspen...

There should be plenty of '09 babies left for sale, and '10 babies ought to start showing up soon for some breeders.

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Why not house 2 males together?

I had housed 2 males together for a while (~ 1 year). About 6 months into it one of the males started to feed less and sought out refuge in a small hide box. Meanwhile, the other male kept feeding well and utilized the entire enclosure.

While, I am not certain that the change in behavior is directly related to the other male, I have since removed the "aggressor" and the other male no longer uses the hide and is feeding great. Might be a coincidence, might not....

Just my 2 cents....

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Another note: There are several species of snake (or herp in general) that exhibit male vs. male combat. To the best of my knowledge this has not been documented in sand boas, but it could be happening....

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

I beg to differ.

I keep a large number in a display tank in my living room and am able to observe them for hours without the substrate to hide in.

I think some just don't like each other. I have an albino female who doesn't like one of my dodomas. She is fine with other females just not this one dodoma. I have multiple males that I keep together without problems. I think they do fine in groups but sometimes their is one snake that doesn't like another.

I'd just say if their is a change, like lack of eating or hiding in an unusual place like your did Chris, then yes, you've got to seperate them. They seem to keep real well in groups for me.

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Mark Huntley
Sand Boa Morphs

Kenyan Sand Boa's
4.1 Rufescens
1.2 Albinos
0.5 Dodoma
2.1 Flame
2.5.8 Normal (orange)
3.4.10 Anery
0.1 Snow
2.2 Hopeful Yellow Snow
0.1 Splash Albino
1.0 Splash Anery
1.0 Orange Stripe 100% Het Anery
1.0 High Orange Stripe
1.0 Yellow Stripe
0.4 High Orange Tiger
2.2 High Orange
2.3 Boston Terriers
0.2 Sooners
8.30 Rhode Island Reds
0.0.15 Tropical Fish
0.1 Moody Wives
1.1 On the fence in-laws
2.1 Rug Rats

http://sandboamorphs.blogspot.com/

I have housed all my Rough Scaled sand boas together for years and have had no problems.
Though this year I housed my two males with just my biggest two females as opposed to my dad just housing my colony together by who has eaten this week and who hasn't.
On a side note I have seen my normal colored male breeding the two girls for the last 30 days pretty solid while my high white male deosn't seem interested in the girls. At least this year I will be pretty sure who the sire is going to be.