Kenyan sand boa enclosure size and setup

Kenyan sand boa at a glance

Minimum enclosure

24 × 12 × 12 inches61 × 30 × 30 cm, about 15 gallons

Warm side

93-95°F

Cool side

78-83°F

Humidity

30-50%, damp lower layer

UVB

Zone 2

Group

Snakes

Spends most of its life buried, so give 3+ inches of loose substrate. Big females appreciate 36 × 18 × 18.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a Kenyan sand boa need?

At least 24 × 12 × 12 inches (61 × 30 × 30 cm) for one adult, about 15 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a Kenyan sand boa enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 93-95°F and a cool side of 78-83°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a Kenyan sand boa need?

30-50%, damp lower layer. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a Kenyan sand boa need UVB?

Yes, Zone 2, which means moderate UVB, for animals that bask now and then. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult Kenyan sand boa?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 20 gallon long (30 × 12 × 12 in), 40 gallon breeder (36 × 18 × 16 in), 75 gallon (48 × 18 × 21 in), 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 2 × 2 × 4 tall (24 × 24 × 48 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your Kenyan sand boa

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Prey size
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles