The little, harmless Arabian sand boa is native to Iran’s and the Arabian Peninsula’s sandy deserts.
Due to their low maintenance requirements, straightforward enclosure design, and hardiness, Arabian sand boas are perfect for novice snake keepers.
Overview of the Arabian Sand Boa
| Common name | Arabian sand boa, Jayakar‘s sand boa |
| Scientific name | Eryx jayakari |
| Natural habitat | Natural habitat Iran and the Arabian Peninsula both have sandy deserts. |
| Adult size | 13–15 inches |
| Average lifespan | 18–20 years |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Housing | One snake requires a minimum of 15 gallons, 85–88°F ambient temperature, and 30–40% humidity. |
| Experience | Beginner |
Origin
The Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kerman, Bushehr, and Khuzestan Provinces of Iraq are among the countries in the Arabian Peninsula where the Arabian sand boa is native. In their natural environment, snakes live in warm, dry deserts. Arabian sand boas spend the day underground in the sand before coming out at night to hunt.
Even though Arabian sand boas are getting harder to find in the wild, the IUCN rates them as “Least Concern” since they have a large range and aren’t endangered in their natural habitat.
Manifestation and conduct
The body of the Arabian sand boa is mottled with golden, orange, or sandy brown colors, and it has a pale belly. The snake’s eyes are higher than those of any other sand boa species, and they are located at the top of its head. This enables the snake to hunt for prey by burying most of its head and body beneath the sand.
Due to the sexual dimorphism of Arabian sand boas, it is simple to distinguish between men and females of this species. Compared to males, females are larger and have blunter, shorter tails.
The head of the Arabian sand boa blends into the body, giving it a noodle-like look. Due to its appearance, the snake is very well-adapted to digging in sand.
Related Reading: Kenyan Sand Boa, Colombian Rainbow Boa
Size and Duration
A little snake, the Arabian sand boa. When fully grown, females measure around 16 inches and males measure about 14 inches. The average weight of the snakes is 0.4 pounds.
With the right care, Arabian sand boas can live for 18 to 20 years in captivity. The snakes live an average of 15 years in the wild.
Temperament
For novice snake keepers, the Arabian sand boa is a calm, slow-moving snake. The snake sleeps for the majority of the day because it is nocturnal. The lonely reptile known as the Arabian sand boa prefers to live alone. The territorial nature of males makes them more likely to fight if they are housed together.
Arabian sand boas are small enough to coil up on the palm of a person’s hand and are safe to handle.
Only if it perceives a threat will this kind of snake strike out. Instead of striking directly, Arabian sand boas attack sideways.
a facility for Arabian Sand Boas
The scorching, arid deserts of southern Iran and the Arabian Peninsula are the natural habitat of the Arabian sand boa. To control its body temperature, the snake digs a hole in the sand.
To ensure the snake is comfortable and content in its new home, create a habitat that is similar to that found in the wild. For an Arabian sand boa, the best containment is a well-ventilated glass or plastic terrarium.
Case dimensions
A least of 15 gallons, and ideally 20 gallons, should be used to house a single adult Arabian sand boa. To enable the snake to move via tunnels dug out of the sand, the enclosure should be broader than it is tall.
The enclosure should be around 20 inches longer than the snake. A 10 inch width and height would be appropriate.
Lighting
Despite being nocturnal, the Arabian sand boa requires a full spectrum day and night cycle. Make sure the tank is situated in a space with roughly 10 hours of natural light each day.
Although UVB illumination is not necessary for this species of snake, some people decide to place a UVB bulb above the enclosure because of the possible advantages of UVB.
Unless the tank is placed in a dark room or your enclosure has a lot of live plants, dedicated LED illumination is not required.
Thermodynamics and Humidity
85 to 88°F is the recommended temperature range for an Arabian sand boa enclosure. To keep these temperatures constant, install a thermostat-controlled under-tank heater.
The enclosure’s temperature can reach 90°F during the day. Allow the temperature to fall to 70°F overnight.
Place the heater at one end of the tank, heating up one-third of the enclosure to create a temperature gradient with a warm and a cooler area. The snake will be able to adjust its body temperature by travelling between the various areas thanks to this.
The humidity inside the container should be close to 40%. Don’t let the humidity fall below 30% or rise above 50%.
By appropriately ventilating the enclosure and positioning the water bowl near the cool end of the tank, you can maintain low humidity levels.
By giving your snake a humid hide it can hide in made of moist paper towels and moss, you can help it shed its skin.
Substance and Adornment
Although they may also dwell in soils, Arabian sand boas are most frequently seen in sandy deserts. The ideal substrate for an Arabian sand boa enclosure is fine sand, followed by aspen chips and newspaper-shredded substrate. Mix 1/4 sand with 3/4 dirt for a more natural appearance. Inspect the substrate to make sure it is deep enough for the snake to tunnel.
For an Arabian sand boa tank, stay away from using gravel, Savannah chips, or cedar chips. These substrates irritate the snake or are challenging for it to dig in.
To give the enclosure a beautiful appearance, use real plants or fake foliage. Silk plants are perfect for an aquarium with Arabian sand boas. Other excellent tank decorations are large pieces of bark, pebbles, and logs that can be used as climbing and hiding places.
An Arabian sand boa’s respiratory health suffers from stagnant air, so make sure the enclosure is properly ventilated with a screen top or tiny fans that move the air. Use a lockable sliding cover to prevent the snake from escaping into your home because this species of snake is powerful and intelligent.
Cleaning
Deep clean the enclosure at least twice a year to prevent the growth of bacteria. Remove the decorations and substrate and transport the snake to a temporary enclosure. Use a cloth dipped in warm water to clean the plants and pebbles.
To clean the walls and floor of the tank, use warm water and vinegar or a cleaner designed for snake enclosures. Add a fresh layer of substrate, replace the decorations, and move the snake back into the tank after the enclosure and accents are fully dry.
Spot-clean the enclosure once per day to lessen the amount of time you spend on deep cleaning. Wash out and refill the snake’s water bowl, and take out any leftover food, skin that has shed, and waste.
Care for Arabian Sand Boas
Due to their modest size and calm temperament, Arabian sand boas are a wonderful choice for novice snake keepers. They are not prone to sickness and are simple to feed.
Water and Food
The Arabian sand boa will consume almost anything it can in the wild, including lizards, birds, and rodents. In captivity, the snakes should be given a carnivorous, protein-rich diet, while it is not necessary to switch up the food. A common meal for boas is frozen and thawed mice, which gives the snakes all the nutrition they require.
Every seven days, give a young Arabian sand boa one prey item to eat, like a tiny pinkie mouse. Every 10 to 14 days, adult snakes should be given a medium-sized mouse. To encourage their development into adults, juveniles require feedings more frequently than adults.
Don’t feed live prey to your snake. The prey may infect the enclosure with parasites and hurt the snake while it is being fed. Instead, lower the thawed food into the enclosure using a pair of long tongs and jiggle the tongs to entice the snake to strike. In the evening, when the snake would typically go hunting in the wild, feed it.
Even though Arabian sand boas don’t drink much, you should always have water available to them. On the floor of the enclosure, place a water dish with a thick bottom that is large enough for the snake to fit into but not so deep that it will be difficult for it to exit. To avoid an increase in humidity, make sure the water bowl is non-porous.
Handling
The management of Arabian sand boas is not difficult. Just be careful handling the snake to avoid frightening or upsetting your pet. Don’t grab the snake’s body; doing so could result in damage. Instead, support the snake’s entire weight. Never handle the snake within 24 or 48 hours of feeding, and always wash and sterilize your hands before handling the snake.
To acclimate your sand boa to your presence, handle it softly and frequently for at least an hour once a week.
Typical Health Problems
Although the Arabian sand boa is a robust, healthy snake, it can develop a number of illnesses and other issues if it is not given the proper care.
Obesity
Due to their large appetites, Arabian sand boas will consume everything presented to them. Beginner snake keepers frequently overestimate the amount of food their reptiles need. The snakes are prone to obesity, which if persistently overfed increases the risk of heart and liver failure. Obesity can be avoided by following a regular feeding routine.
Skin Abrasion
When your Arabian sand boa digs underground, harsh substrates in the enclosure could harm its skin. Avoid abrasive, coarse substrates, such as those composed of gravel, to prevent cutaneous damage. If you’re worried about a potential skin damage to your snake, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Mouth rot, respiratory infections, and scale rot
Your snake may get scale rot, mouth rot, or respiratory illnesses as a result of improper care or inadequate enclosure conditions. High humidity and improper substrates can promote bacterial growth, which can lead to a variety of ailments in your snake. By maintaining the proper humidity, substrate, and temperature in the enclosure and by cleaning it frequently, you can avoid respiratory problems, scale, and mouth rot.
Breeding
In captivity, breeding Arabian sand boas is simple. At 18 inches long for female snakes and 12 inches for male snakes, the snakes reach sexual maturity.
The steps below can be used to breed two Arabian sand boas:
- A healthy male and female sand boa should be chosen. For the time being, keep the snakes in separate pens.
- By lowering the enclosure’s temperature to 70°F and switching the light cycle to 10 hours of daylight and 14 hours of darkness, you can get the snakes ready to breed. Keep feeding the snakes as usual.
- Place the snakes in the same enclosure at nighttime after the “winter” period of three months. After a week, remove the male snake from the enclosure and feed the snakes individually.
- After feeding, take the guy back. Continue until you see a female with a lump on her abdomen, suggesting that she is gravid (pregnant).
- Place the female in a nesting box big enough for her to move around in after removing the male.
- After the female lays her eggs, you must incubate them at 91 degrees Fahrenheit for 66 days until they hatch.
- Put the newly hatched infants in their individual 5-gallon habitats.
- The newborns can be fed their first pinkie mouse once they have had their first shed.
How to Choose and Purchase an Arabian Sand Boa
An Arabian sand boa can range in price from $200 to $1,000, depending on the snake’s age, gender, and seller’s reputation.
Due to the scarcity of Arabian sand boas in the pet industry, breeders are able to raise their prices since they are confident that buyers will be willing to pay more.
Make sure the Arabian sand boa you choose has bright, alert eyes, regular eating habits, and scales that are smooth and lustrous. Avoid snakes that exhibit any signs of illness, such as skin irritations, edema, or mucous around the eyes or nose. Compared to wild-caught snakes, captive-bred snakes are typically healthier and friendlier.
