A boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a relatively small, venomous colubrid snake native to sub-Saharan
Africa[1]. It is
currently the only species in its genus, although several species
and subspecies have been described in the past. Its name means "tree snake" in Afrikaans and
Dutch[2]. It
is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis, and
Xyelodontophis, with which it formes the tribe Dispholidini[3][4].
Description
Females usually retain a brown colour, whereas males are highly variable[1], ranging from black to bright green. Adults may exceed 1.8 meters (6 ft) in length. They have a
short, blunt nose and large, prominent eyes with a pear-shaped pupil.
Reproduction
Boomslangs are oviparous. The eggs have a relatively long incubation period. Hatchlings are
greyish with blue speckles. They attain their adult coloration after several years.
Behavior & diet
Boomslangs are diurnal, largely arboreal, and are oviparous. Their diet includes chameleons and other arboreal lizards[1], frogs, and occasionally small
mammals, birds and eggs from nesting birds[1], all of which they swallow whole. During cool weather they will hibernate
for moderate periods, often curling up inside the enclosed nests of birds such as weavers.
Venom
Many members of the family Colubridae that are considered venomous are essentially harmless to humans, because they either
have small venom glands, relatively weak venom, or an inefficient system for delivery of venom. However, the boomslang is a
notable exception in that it has a highly potent venom, which it delivers through large fangs that are located in the rear of the
jaw[1]. The venom of the boomslang is primarily a
haemotoxin. It disables the blood clotting process and the victim may well die as a result of
internal and external bleeding.[1][5] Other signs and symptoms include: headache, nausea, sleepiness and mental disorders. Because the venom is slow to act, symptoms may not be manifest until
many hours after the bite. On the one hand, this provides time for procuring the serum, while on the other hand it may lead
victims to underestimate the gravity of being bitten. (Snakes of any species can on occasion fail to inject venom when they bite
and after a few hours without ill-effect the victim may fall into the error of supposing that the injury was not serious).
An adult boomslang has 4-8 milligrams of venom. 5 milligrams is said to be enough to kill a man.
In 1957, well-known herpetologist Karl
Schmidt died after being bitten by a boomslang. D.S. Chapman states that between 1919 and 1962 there were eight serious
human envenomations by boomslangs, two of which were fatal. The South African Vaccine Producers (formerly South African Institute of Medical Research) manufactures a
monovalent antivenom for use in boomslang envenomations.
The boomslang is a timid snake and bites generally occur only when people attempt to handle, catch or kill the animal. The
above data suggest that boomslangs are unlikely to be a significant source of human fatalities throughout their distribution
range, so they can hardly be regarded as a threat to mankind.
Boomslang in fiction
References
External links
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