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Class:
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Reptilia
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Order:
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Squamata
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Family:
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Boidae
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Genus:
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Gongylophis
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Species:
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colubrinus
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Life span:
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Unknown in the wild; Up to 20 years under human care
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Egg Gestation:
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Females give birth to live young after 4 months
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Number of young at birth:
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12 – 20
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Age of maturity:
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2 – 3 years
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Size:
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Females are larger than males. Females reach lengths up to 32 in. while males only reach 15 in.
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| Habitat: | Semi-arid regions |
| Range: | East Africa – Egypt to south Tanzania, Southwest Somalia west to Kenya |
Fun Facts:
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Alternating orange and brown colors running down its back. The species is sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females differ in appearance.
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Not much is known about this species because it spends about 80 percent of its life buried in the sand.
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Rarely strikes or bites
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Head is shaped like shovel in order to burrow in the sand.
