The Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a venomous snake inhabiting the humid regions of Southern Africa. Although it belongs to the Colubridae family, it has potent, hemotoxic venom that can lead to death. It is one of the most characteristic snakes of the southern portion of Africa, absent from the dry western regions. It had first been called Bucephalus typus in 1828 by A. Smith; however, it would be re-designated Dispholidus typus in 1896 by the Belgian zoologist George A. Boulenger.
Physical Description
The Boomslang can grow up to 160 cm long. The female adult is brown/olive, while the male is green, with black blotches. The juveniles have white throats and cryptic, twig-colored bodies. This snake has very large eyes, with oblique, keeled body scales. The females lays up to 25 eggs in early Summer.
The Boomslang snake is a dangerous but shy and diurnal. It hunts chameleons, rodents, and small birds. When disturbed, it inflates the throat and will bite readily. Its hemotoxic venom prevents blood clotting and death will ensue between 1 and 3 days.
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| Dispholidus typus (female) |
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| Boomslang snake (adult male) |
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