Boomslangs

Dispholidus typus

Geographical Locale

• Boomslangs are tree dwelling snakes native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Appearance

• Solid teeth in both jaws with venom fangs in rear part of upper jaw.
• Average length is 4' but can exceed 6'.
• Has a short, blunt nose & large prominent eyes with a pear shaped pupil.
• Boomslangs have keeled scales.
• Females usually retain a brown colour.
• Males colouring is highly variable ranging from black to bright green.
• Belly is light green.
• Often confused with the Green mamba (Dendroaspis augusticeps).

Venom

• Primarily a haemotoxin – it disables the blood clotting process causes internal and external bleeding.

The Bite

• Puncture marks at wound site.
• Actual bite not very painful.
• Likely to bleed copiously as blood clotting mechanism becomes affected.

Lifecycle

• Female lays between 8 and 25 eggs in hollows of trees or piles of leaves.
• Young Boomslangs hatch between 70 and 100 days later.
• Newly hatched Boomslangs are grey with blue patches and do not achieve their full colouring until several years old.

Habits

• Generally found in trees and shrubs.
• Moves with great speed and agility.
• Diet is mainly chameleons but will also eat birds & their eggs, frogs and lizards all of which are swallowed whole.
• In cooler months they may hibernate for short periods – often taking over birds nests.
• Timid and will rarely bite unless caught or cornered.