Frida, the Kenyan Sand Boa
Frida: A Shy Species Gets Her Moment in The Sun
Frida, a Kenyan Sand Boa, is a favorite animal ambassador with Things That Creep. Due to their unique features and short and stocky stature, many people who are nervous around snakes, find that they have an easier time engaging with sand boas. Frida has helped many people overcome some of their nervousness and she has been known to turn many snake detractors into snake lovers!
FAST FACTS:
Kenyan sand boas aren’t just found in Kenya! They are native to northern and eastern Africa. These snakes prefer areas with sandy soil (thus their name!).
These sand boas have smoother scales along most of their body, except for their tail, which features which is covered in bumps.
Kenyan sand boas are one species that features larger females and smaller males. Female snakes can get up to 3 feet long, while males only get up to 15 inches long.
These snakes are most active at night and are fossorial, meaning they spend most of their time underground. They hunt by waiting for prey to pass and seizing small mammals, lizards, and birds. Kenyan sand boas are constrictors. snakes and constrict their prey.
This species of snake incubates their eggs internally, meaning they give live birth after about 4 months of gestation!
Snakes are Scared of Us!
While it can be shocking to come across a snake in the wild, it is important to remember that snakes are scared of us! Humans are so much larger than our snake friends and often come across them while they are attempting to hide, protect their young, hunt, searching for food or generally going aboutgo about their business.
As we hike, bike, enjoy parks, and gardens, it’s important to remember that when we are outside, we are in our area snakes homes. They are our neighbors.
The best thing we can do for area snakes is to give them space when we come across them in their homes and allow them to escape on their own! Even with venomous snakes in the wild, most snake bites happen when snakes are cornered or stepped onscared. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has some additional advice at the link.
The important thing to remember is that snakes are an important part of our ecosystem, and they don’t mean to surprise us! If you ever findhave one in your home, you can call a professional to help remove it - but if you are in a snake's home, giving them space to leave and appreciating them from a distance is the best way to keep everyone safe.
While the Bay Area doesn’t have Kenyan sand boas (except in captivity), we have so many incredible species, most completely harmless to human beings. To learn more about someall of the amazing snakes in our own backyard, please check out our guide to San Francisco Bay Area snakes here.
To support Frida and and their important work donate to their care and important conservation work here: