Back to Education Index

This page is about the Kenyan Sand Boa (Gongylophis Colubrinus)


  • The Kenyan Sand Boa (Gongylophis colubrinus), also known as the Egyptian legless lizard, Kenyan legless lizard, East African legless lizard, legless lizard is a boa species found in northern Africa.
  • Found in northern Africa from Egypt as far west as Niger (Aïr), including Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and northern Tanzania. A single specimen has been reported from Yemen.
  • They live Predominantly in semi-desert and scrub savannahs and rock outcroppings. Prefers sandy, friable soil.
  • During the hotter times of the year, they seek refuge beneath stones and in the burrows of small mammals.
  • Adult specimens are rarely more than 91 cm (3 feet) in length. They are heavily built with small heads, small eyes, and short tails. The colour pattern may consist of a yellow or orange coloration overlaid with dark brown splotches. The belly is white or cream coloured. They are readily available in the pet trade due to their 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 (black and white lacking orange/red simple recessive trait), albino (lacking black pigment simple recessive), snow (double recessive combination of an anery and albino), stripes (normal coloured, anerythristic, albino and snow), hypo/ghost anerythristic KSBs, paradox albinos (simple recessive), paradox snows (double recessive trait). In addition many line bred traits have been accentuated on the above morphs, such as Nuclears (extreme red), High Whites, and Reduced Patterns as examples.
  • They spend most of their time in shallow burrows with only their head exposed. They feed on small mammals that are quickly seized when passing within striking range and killed by constriction.

    Click HERE for a Kenyan Sand Boa care sheet.