Anyone here into Sand Boas? I have questions!

I recently added a Rufescen to my family and am having a little trouble getting clear info on them...

-Are Rufescens a Kenyan Sand Boa morph or are they a different but closely related species?

-Are they a specific locality of a KSB?

-What is their scientific name?

-Is there any great source material on them that isn't really out dated?

I know that they can be bred to KSBs and that its a incomplete dominate trait. The babies can be striped, granites, and tigers. I know that Sandboamorphs.com and BHB work with them...but I feel kinda bad about bothering them with questions when A.) I know its a busy time with shows for them B.) I don't have one of their animals.

So...is anyone here a sand boa person that can offer clarity and insight:D?
Oh, and does anyone know someone who does Indian Sand Boas (Eryx johnii)?

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...6/9/0/rufe.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../9/0/rufes.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/2/0/6/9/0/ruf.jpg

P.S. I would love to see pictures of your sand boas!:)

That is a very pretty sand boa

I don't know much about sand boas, but I do love the coloring on that one, and those little, golden, beady eyes are kind of cute...:D

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

I don't know much about sand boas, but I do love the coloring on that one, and those little, golden, beady eyes are kind of cute...:D

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I know. I'm a total sucker for them. I haven't really been able to find a sand boa community (or even a couple of real enthusiasts) like I have with the BP and RTB people. Harder to find great info like you can here:(

P.S. She came from the fantastic people at SandBoaMorphs.com :) Thank you Mark!!!

I would shoot Brian at BHB an email and see what info he has, they are busy with SnakeBytes for sure but he is really helpful regardless. I only have a normal KSB but I love the coloration on yours, and those beady eyes make them adorable. I jokingly call ours Derpy since she looks the part and acts it too :D

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Originally Posted by Cendalla

I know. I'm a total sucker for them. I haven't really been able to find a sand boa community (or even a couple of real enthusiasts) like I have with the BP and RTB people. Harder to find great info like you can here:(

P.S. She came from the fantastic people at SandBoaMorphs.com :) Thank you Mark!!!

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There's a Kenyan Sand Boa Lovers group on Facebook. It's rather active at times.

Also, why don't you email the people at SandBoaMorphs.com with your questions? I'm sure they'll be able to answer them for you.

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Originally Posted by babyknees

There's a Kenyan Sand Boa Lovers group on Facebook. It's rather active at times.

Also, why don't you email the people at SandBoaMorphs.com with your questions? I'm sure they'll be able to answer them for you.

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I recently got a response from them about it. To brake it down- he basically said that it is split between two schools of thought. One being that they are the same animal and the second being close but not the same. I will ask him if I can post his response.

Here are some pics of my anery girl (Lydia) from Lance at http://www.freewebs.com/portalreptiles/
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../9/0/lydia.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...9/0/lydia2.jpg

She's a little thing but eats like a pig!

If you have any full-sized males, what are you keeping them in? I read in a couple of places that you can use just a 10-gal for males their entire life as they stay under 20", but I just wanted to ask someone who actually has one

I have a rack from animal plastics. I have them in Sterilite Box 1753(15qt) and Sterlite Box 1755(32qt). The large is pretty roomy for males but the small does well.

The males really do stay a lot smaller them the females. A lot smaller. I'm not really fond of tanks because they just seem to be too much work and they take up a lot of space. I don't have an adult male yet but I have a friend with a couple and he keeps them in 15 gal tanks and they have plenty of room. A ten would probably work but I like to keep things roomier.

I like tubs in general because they are easy to maintain, cost effective, and really comfortalble for the snakes. I know a lot of people perfer tanks and other enclosures that show their snake off to the best advantage but its really hard to show off a sand boa:P

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Originally Posted by Cendalla

I have a rack from animal plastics. I have them in Sterilite Box 1753(15qt) and Sterlite Box 1755(32qt). The large is pretty roomy for males but the small does well.

The males really do stay a lot smaller them the females. A lot smaller. I'm not really fond of tanks because they just seem to be too much work and they take up a lot of space. I don't have an adult male yet but I have a friend with a couple and he keeps them in 15 gal tanks and they have plenty of room. A ten would probably work but I like to keep things roomier.

I like tubs in general because they are easy to maintain, cost effective, and really comfortalble for the snakes. I know a lot of people perfer tanks and other enclosures that show their snake off to the best advantage but its really hard to show off a sand boa:P

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I understand your pros to the tub in it being cost effective for the space. I would go that route, but I checked in my attic and already have a couple of 10gals that are empty right now so expense of the tank is already taken care of, and I already have aspen and a couple of driftwood type pieces that I'd use for the flat hides they like. What are your temps, and do you even bother about humidity other than making sure it actually doesn't get too high?

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Originally Posted by BLM94

I understand your pros to the tub in it being cost effective for the space. I would go that route, but I checked in my attic and already have a couple of 10gals that are empty right now so expense of the tank is already taken care of, and I already have aspen and a couple of driftwood type pieces that I'd use for the flat hides they like. What are your temps, and do you even bother about humidity other than making sure it actually doesn't get too high?

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The best substrate that I've tried for them was sani chips. They don't really use hides because they burrow down under the substrate (which is why belly heat is best). I offered them but none used it. You can tell if they are too warm because they come out and sit on top.

My humidity is kinda tough to keep down. I have BPs and a Dumeril so my room gets moist. I combat it by keeping the water in the dish shallow (and just change often) and keeping the bedding fresh.

My temps are at 75 degrees and a hot spot of about 94. Its lower than what most care sheets say but haven't had a problem with it. I asked http://www.sandboamorphs.com/#! and they said it was close to their's so I don't worry too much. The care sheet that they offer says that 10 gal is just fine:)

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Originally Posted by Cendalla

I recently got a response from them about it. To brake it down- he basically said that it is split between two schools of thought. One being that they are the same animal and the second being close but not the same. I will ask him if I can post his response.

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Did you get an answer? I'd be curious to read his response.

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Originally Posted by babyknees

Did you get an answer? I'd be curious to read his response.

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I'm still waiting to hear back. I just didn't want to post an email without having his approval.