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Description
Kenyan Sand Boa (Anery)
Eryx colubrinus
Common Names: Kenyan Sand Boa, East African Sand Boa
Species Overview
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Size: Adults usually reach 18–30 inches (45–75 cm), with females being larger and heavier-bodied than males.
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Appearance: The Anerythristic (Anery) morph lacks red and orange pigments, leaving a striking black, gray, and white pattern instead of the typical orange-and-brown coloration. The body remains stout, with a small wedge-shaped head and short tail, both adapted for burrowing.
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Distribution: Native to East Africa, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
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Habitat: Found in semi-arid savannahs, sandy scrublands, and deserts, where they burrow into loose soil and sand.
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Behaviour: A fossorial ambush predator, usually hiding under the substrate with only the head exposed, striking quickly at small prey.
Captive Care
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Enclosure: A 20-gallon long tank or equivalent enclosure suits most adults. Provide deep, loose substrate such as sand, aspen, or a soil/sand mix to allow natural burrowing. Include a water dish and at least one hide, though most will remain buried.
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Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 78–82°F (25–28°C) with a basking area of 90–95°F (32–35°C). Nighttime drops to 72–75°F (22–24°C) are fine. Humidity should be kept low, around 30–50%, to mimic their native environment.
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Diet: Juveniles feed on pinky mice every 5–7 days, while adults eat small rodents every 10–14 days. As with other sand boas, obesity is a risk—avoid overfeeding.
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Behaviour in Captivity: Generally calm, secretive, and easy to handle. They spend most of their time beneath the substrate, surfacing mainly at feeding times.
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Special Considerations: Provide deep burrowing substrate for their wellbeing; keeping them on bare enclosures long-term is not recommended.
Genetics Note
The Anery Kenyan Sand Boa expresses a recessive trait that removes red and orange pigmentation, producing a gray-and-black appearance. Heterozygous (het) carriers do not visually display this morph. Husbandry and care remain identical to wild-type Kenyan sand boas.