Sand boas are becoming more popular as pets due to their small size.They are easy to take care of and are a good choice for pet owners.Before you bring your snake home, make sure you set up your enclosure.Follow the guidelines for handling your boa.Make sure you are ready for the long haul.These snakes can live up to 30 years.
Step 1: Purchase an enclosure for a snake.
Ensuring the habitat is escape-proof and large enough for the snake to stretch its body inside is the most important thing.You can choose between a glass or plastic tub.Air holes can be drilled on the sides of the tub.The air needs to be able to get in the small holes.If you want to save money on a fancy cage, plastic tubs are great.There is absolutely no chance of escape if you put something heavy on the tub.If you want a more visually pleasing enclosure, choose a tank.The clips that hold the lid in place are available at the pet store.If you're buying a baby boa, you should get a 10 gallon enclosure.You can get a 28 gallon enclosure when the snake grows.
Step 2: A heating element could be added to the enclosure.
There are three common tools used to heat a reptile's enclosure.Since snakes don't need UV light to survive, heat tape is preferred for heating snake enclosures.You can buy them online or at pet supply stores.Before purchasing the sand boa, make sure your enclosure is at the correct temperature.The cool side of the enclosure should be around 80 degrees and the warm side around 95 degrees.Online or at the pet store, you can purchase a thermometer for the tank.If you have a plastic tub, you will not be able to use a heat lamp because it won't fit inside the tub.UTHs and heat tape can be used to heat a plastic tub enclosure without melting it.They should be placed outside of the enclosure.
Step 3: The floor of the enclosure has bedding or soil on it.
Aspen snake bedding can be used as a base for a sand boa.Most of the time, these two types of substrates are used.You can buy them from a pet store.Sand boas love to burrow in the wild, and the substrate will allow it to do that.Make sure the enclosure is large enough to allow the sand boa to fully submerge itself.A few inches is usually plenty.
Step 4: The enclosure has a water bowl.
Make sure the enclosure has a water bowl with fresh, clean and dechlorinated water at all times.A small dish is fine.It should be placed on the cool side of the cage.
Step 5: Keep the decorations minimal.
Sand boas prefer to spend most of their time underground, so it might be tempting to make your tank more visually appealing.Some seem to enjoy it, though they don't need anything to climb on.The snake could get stuck if heavy rocks are placed in the tank.If you want a good aesthetic, you can use fake plants or fake ivy to make the enclosure look less barren.Care-for- a-Kenyan-Sand-Boa-Step-5-Version-2.jpg is a small URL.
Step 6: Live pink mice will be fed to the sand boas.
Live mice can be purchased at a pet store.The mouse should be placed in the cage with the snake.A scared mouse can hurt a snake.When you feed live prey, don't leave the snake unattended.When a newborn has its first meal, it will accept dead mice that you leave in the cage.
Step 7: Adult sand boas can digest small dead mice.
A meal can cause a small bump to appear in your snake's body.Pick baby mice for your baby snake.Increase the size of the mice as your snake grows.An associate at the pet store can help you pick a good size.
Step 8: The sand boa needs to be fed every 7 to 14 days.
Your female snake food should be offered once a week.The male snake only wants to eat for a short period of time.Your snake's preferences can be used to set up a schedule.Don't feed the snakes during this time because they will not eat.During the winter months, many sand boas don't eat.If your snake does not eat for a while, don't be alarmed.
Step 9: Tweezers or tongs can be used to feed the snake.
Sand boas enjoy attacking their prey.They might hide in a tunnel and pounce on the food coming into their cage.If you want to avoid having your finger bitten, lower the prey into the cage.The dead mouse can be wiggled around to make it look like live prey.
Step 10: The enclosure needs to be cleaned at least two times a year.
Your snake's habitat is usually pretty clean.If you want to thoroughly clean the cage, place your snake in an alternate container a few times a year.Take everything out, then wipe everything down with a bleach solution.Before setting the habitat up again, allow several hours for it to dry.You may want to replace it more often.Fresh material is replaced with the old one every few weeks.
Step 11: The snake can be handled gently.
Pick up your snake with 2 hands.It might think you are food if you try to lift it by the front third.If you want, you can interact with your snake several days a week.Don't be alarmed if the sand boa tries to sneak up on you.These snakes are not aggressive.Don't worry if they bite you.It won't hurt or be dangerous.
Step 12: Do not hold the snake after feeding.
It takes a while for snakes to eat.Don't try to handle them while they have a full belly.Before handling your snake, wait 24 hours after feeding.If you notice that your snake is losing its skin, don't handle it.The period could last a week or two.
Step 13: You should take your snake to the vet if you suspect it is sick.
If you notice unusual behavior, you can take it to the vet.Excess mucus, difficulty breathing, and repeated vomiting are some of the signs that something is wrong.If you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet.