Browse sand boas for sale from breeders and keepers, including Kenyan, rough-scaled, Arabian and other Eryx species. Small, burrowing and easy to house, they suit many homes.
Showing 1 to 19 of 22 animals
Showing 1 to 19 of 22 animals
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Sand boas are small, stocky boas that spend most of their time buried in loose sand, waiting for prey to pass overhead. Their compact size and simple dry setup make them one of the most approachable snakes in the hobby. This guide covers the main species, their care and how to choose one.
Sand boas belong to the genus Eryx and range across North Africa, the Middle East and Central and South Asia, from Morocco and Egypt to Iran, Pakistan and India. The Kenyan sand boa, Eryx colubrinus, is the most widely kept, followed by the rough-scaled sand boa, Eryx conicus, from the Indian subcontinent.
Keepers also work with the Arabian sand boa, Eryx jayakari, known for eyes set high on its head, as well as the javelin sand boa, the Tartar sand boa and the smooth-scaled Indian sand boa, Eryx johnii. Each has its own look and small differences in care, so it is worth reading up on the specific species before you buy.
Most sand boas reach about 2 to 3 feet in total length, with thick bodies, small heads and short, blunt tails. Size varies by species and by sex. In Kenyan sand boas the difference is dramatic: females are much longer and heavier, while males often stay well under two feet.
That size difference is one reason buyers pay attention to how an animal was sexed. Sellers commonly describe sand boas as male or female based on probing or popping, and asking which method was used helps you understand how confident that description is.
Kenyan sand boas have a wide range of morphs. Keepers commonly look for albino, anerythristic and snow animals, as well as stripe, paradox and hypomelanistic lines. Normal Kenyans are also popular, with their bold orange and dark brown patches. Rough-scaled sand boas have their own following too, prized for their textured scales and patterns that can look surprisingly similar to a small Russell's viper, a resemblance that often starts conversations among keepers.
Many morphs are recessive, so hets and possible hets appear often in listings. If you plan to breed, ask the seller which genes are proven and request photos of the parents.
Sand boas commonly live 15 to 20 years in captivity, and their steady, low-key routine makes them easy companions over that time. Many keepers find they eat reliably and settle quickly into a new home.
Because they spend so much time buried, it is easy to lose track of when a sand boa last ate or shed. Keeping a simple log helps, and an app such as Husbandry.Pro lets you record feedings, sheds, weights and breeding notes in one place.
A sand boa enclosure focuses on floor space and substrate rather than height. Several inches of loose, dry substrate let the snake burrow, and a warm end with a cooler end gives it a choice of temperatures under the surface. Humidity is generally kept low, with a small water dish available.
They eat mice sized to their body, and many keepers offer prey with tongs at the surface or near where the snake is buried. Sand boas are usually easy to handle once lifted gently from the substrate. The ReptileAds sand boa care guide explains species-specific setups in more detail.
Decide which species or morph interests you, then compare several listings. Look for a clear photo of the whole animal, a hatch date, the sex as described by the seller and notes on what it is eating.
Use built-in chat to ask how the snake was sexed, how many meals it has taken and how shipping or pickup will work. Read the seller's profile and reviews on ReptileAds. Rules can differ by species and location, so check local regulations first, and set a Hit List alert if you are waiting for a specific morph.
AI-assisted guide reviewed by the ReptileAds team. General information about these animals — not care, veterinary or legal advice, and not a description of any individual listing above.
Sand boas are compact, burrowing boas from arid parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This category includes Kenyan sand boas, rough-scaled sand boas, Arabian sand boas and other Eryx species, along with Kenyan morphs such as albino, anerythristic, snow and stripe.
Sand boas are often sold as sexed pairs or as individuals, and males and females differ noticeably in adult size. Check each listing for species, sex as described by the seller, hatch date and what the snake is eating.
If you like small desert boas, the Rosy Boas category is a good companion browse. A Hit List alert will let you know when a sand boa matching your search is posted.
ReptileAds lets you compare sand boa species and morphs from many breeders and keepers in one place.
Browse Kenyan, rough-scaled, Arabian and other sand boas without jumping between sites.
Compare Kenyan sand boa morphs and het claims, then ask sellers to explain the genetics.
Message sellers directly about feeding, sex and shipping or pickup arrangements.
Sand boas spend most of their lives just under the surface, and their care follows that habit.
Read the ReptileAds sand boa care guide for species-specific details.
Use these questions to find the right sand boa.
