Boomslang snakes are large and highly venomous snakes. It belongs to the Colubridae family. The scientific name for boomslang snakes is Dyspholidus typus. Boomslang snakes are mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa. The common name boomslang in Dutch and Afrikaans is tree snake. It is found in East Africa, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and sub-Saharan African countries to the north.
Boomslang snakes can climb trees very easily.
It lives in forest areas. The boomslang is mostly in trees, sometimes on the ground to hunt, feed or seek shelter. If the weather is harsh these snakes hide underground. Boomslang is an oval snake.
Female adult boomslang snakes can lay up to 30 eggs. The incubation period of these snake eggs is very long. Newborn snakes are up to 20 cm (7.9 inches) long. These snakes have a unique sexual dimorphism. Female boom accent snakes are brown in color. Male snakes come in a variety of colors including red, yellow and green. Their eyes are mostly green in color and very beautiful.
Boomslang snakes feed on chameleons and tree-dwelling lizards.
When boomslang snakes notice its prey, it moves slowly and attacks with lightning speed upon approaching. A snake moves slowly through the air like a branch moving with the wind. It hunts by waiting at some distance while observing its prey.
The boomslang snake has large oval eyes and black stripes on the body. Male snakes have larger eyes and a colored head than females. The average length of this snake is 3 to 5 feet.
Boomslang snakes feed mostly on lizards and birds and frogs, even small mammals. They are active during the day and can be seen climbing trees and gliding through tree branches.
Boomslang snake bites are especially dangerous. The snake opens its mouth up to 180 degrees and its fangs penetrate the victim after biting. Its venom is more dangerous and powerful than that of Black Mamba or King Cobras. A boomslang produces highly potent venom through the large fangs behind its jaws.
The boomslang’s venom is hemotoxin, which stops blood circulation and causes blood clots after a bite.
It causes the victim to die due to internal and external bleeding. Venom bleeds into tissues such as muscles and brain. Other signs and symptoms are also there include headache, insomnia, nausea and some mental disorders.
Boomslang snakes species do not attack humans unless provoked.
As per official reports 7 human deaths have been reported in the past 54 years due to the boomslang’s high levels of toxicity. 7 deaths is very less compared to other venomous snakes.
