Russian Sand Boa

[BoidKeeper]

Here is my new Russian Sand Boa. I haven't sexed him yet.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/28916_10_04_2-med.jpg
I love how their eyes are right on the top of their head.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/508/28916_10_04_4-med.jpg
Anyone else working with these?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Brian Petersen]

Hi Trevor.

I work with this species.. I have 2,2 right now. I had 9 babies last year from my big female.This year the big female gave me 7 slugs :( But there will always be next year.

I think they are a great species to work with... i will try and post a pic of both male and female so that you can see the sex on your snake.

Regards
Brian

[Stockwell]

That's a nice desert Trev!!

[bighillreptiles]

I don't no if Mike Row still around in T O he had them years ago ,nice boa Trevor

[BoidKeeper]

That's a nice desert Trev!!
I've found other common names for the Russian other than the Russian but I haven't found any site calling it the desert sand boa. I thought that the desert sand boa was a different sand boa altogether? Or, are you saying I have a Desert sand boa and not a Russian Sand boa?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Katt]

OMG! I'm so jealous and a black one to boot!! Where did you get him/her? I so want a male to pair up with this beautiful gal.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/Kattia/Boids/dezhand.jpg">

[lostwithin]

Nice boa, I've never been interested in sand boas or any other Erycines except for the occasional thought of rough scaled’s, but they are still neat little creatures. Good luck with them.

Devon

[Stockwell]

Trev, what you have is an Eryx miliarus, the dark phase sometimes referred to as "nogaiorum" or the black sand boa. There are even "super blacks" which are almost entirely black. Desert Sandboa is the most common name but yes they are called Russian sandboas, dwarf sandboas, central Asian sandboas,Caspian boas, turkish sandboas(not found in turkey) and a slew of other confusing names.
When you start to research miliaris you'll be shocked by the extreme color variations of this species and it is still in a state of taxonomic flux and might even be more than one species.

**** Bartlett has just recently put up a bunch of photos of Desert sand boas in the KS sandboa forum. Also there is a lot of info about this taxon on Chris Harrison's Sandboa site which you should be familiar with. He has a load of pictures showing the wide diversity of miliaris
The big breeder of Miliaris in the US is Bruce Miller of Redding Reptiles, but most in captivety are wild caught.
These snakes come into the pet trade regularily.
A couple years ago a Montreal wholesaler had a bunch of them but they were mostly males. He had both the light and black form, and they were under 100 bucks.
Trev, I'll email you some links. Most are on the KS server so they will be blocked here.But here is a couple from Bruce's site
http://www.snowcrest.net/mice/russboa.htm
http://www.reddingreptile.com/rrbnavigation_005.htm

[Katt]

Can't one of you find a male and send it to me?! Jeez!! Selfish sand boa pigs!

[BoidKeeper]

When you start to research miliaris you'll be shocked by the extreme color variations of this species and it is still in a state of taxonomic flux and might even be more than one species.
This is why when I first got it I wanted you to see it before I posted it because to be honest I wasn't 100% confident that is was a russian. When I think Russian I usually picture what Katt has posted here.
Katt when I sex it if it turns out to be a male we'll talk about partnering up for a project if you like.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

Absolutely awesome!!! Very cool snakes!!! :D

[BoidKeeper]

Thanks Yoda. Still haven't had a chance to sex it but I have had feeding success with it. The previouse owner had been feeding live. The firs meal I offered was F/K and it took it. The second was F/T and it also took it. I'm glad to because I find feeding live a pain.
Katt, I'll let you know as soon as I sex it. Who knows maybe if it's a male I might be willing to sell or trade it if you're interested.
Cheers,
Trevor