Adult female specimens of G. colubrinus are rarely more than 91 cm in total length. The Kenyan sand boa is heavily built with a small head, small eyes, and a short tail. The color pattern may consist of a yellow or orange coloration overlaid with dark brown splotches. The belly is white or cream colored. It is readily available in the pet trade due to its small size, docility and ease of care. In recent years there have been a number of new morphs made available by both commercial and hobby breeders. Some of the more popular morphs available include anerythristic Kenyan sand boas, albino Kenyan sand boas, snow KSBs, stripes, hypo/ghost, anerythristic KSBs, paradox albinos, paradox snows, splash, paint and stripe combinations with any of the listed recessive traits. In addition many line bred traits have been accentuated on the above morphs, such as Nuclears, High Whites, Reduced Patterns as examples.
Common names
s for G. colubrinus include East African sand boa, Egyptian sand boa, Kenyan sand boa, and sand boa.
Gongylophis colubrinus occurs in semi-desert and scrub savannahs and rock outcroppings. It prefers sandy, friable soil.
Behavior
During the hotter times of the year, G. colubrinus seeks refuge beneath stones and in the burrows of small mammals.
Behavior and diet
Gongylophis colubrinus spends most of its time in shallow burrows with only its head exposed. It feeds on small mammals that are quickly seized when passing within striking range and killed by constriction.
Reproduction
Gongylophis colubrinus is ovoviviparous. In captivity, it breeds readily November through April in the United States, delivering live birth averaging 10-20 babies born spring through late summer. The young at birth typically are 20–25 cm in length.
Taxonomy
A synonym for this species, Gongylophis colubrinus, is Anguis colubrina, given by Linnaeus. Stimson recognized two subspecies: Eryx colubrinus colubrinus, and E. c. loveridgei, but mentioned that a number of other authors, including Ahl, Loveridge, :fr:Giuseppe Scortecci|Scortecci, and Parker, questioned whether E. c. loveridgei was valid and considered the species to be monotypic with geographic variation. When recognized, Eryx colubrinus loveridgei is said to occur in the southern part of the range and is described as being more orange in color. An additional subspecies, Eryx colubrinus rufescens, is smaller and more rounded than E. c. loveridgei, with rougher scales
