Boomslang

“Clothed in striking green colors, the boomslang glides elegantly between low-lying trees in search of food and shelter.”

This reptile has perhaps one of the most unusual and fun-sounding names in the entire animal kingdom. Boomslang means tree snake in Afrikaans and Dutch. They are some of the most common venomous snakes in Africa. But because their bite can sometimes result in death, victims should always seek treatment immediately. This article will cover some fascinating facts about the identification, diet, habitat, and predators of the boomslang.

5 Incredible Boomslang Facts!

• Boomslangs have a poor sense of smell, but they can sense chemicals in the air. They will flick out their tongues to gather odor molecules and then press them against the sensory organs in the mouth.
• Noted herpetologist Karl Patterson Schmidt died from a boomslang bite in 1957 on the mistaken assumption that it would not be fatal. He documented the effects of the symptoms right up until the end.
• When the fangs are unused, the snake can fold them back into its mouth.
• Once impregnated, the female will deposit her eggs in hollow tree trunks or rotting logs somewhere close to the ground. The eggs take about three months to fully incubate and hatch.
• Although it lives in warmer climates, the boomslang will find a bird nest to hibernate in during the colder months of the year. The technical term for this dormancy period is brumation. When the snake is in this state, it can go for long periods without food.

Where to Find Boomslangs

Boomslangs are found in many different locations all across wooded grasslands and lowland forests throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Swaziland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are the most common countries in which they’re found. They spend most of the day moving between the branches of trees to hunt, rest, and sleep. As a reptile, of course, they need plenty of direct sunlight to stay warm. When they need to come down to the ground, they generally do not stray very far from the tree and hide wherever they can.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the boomslang is Dispholidus typus. Typus comes from an ancient Greek word meaning mark or impression. The boomslang is the only surviving species in its genus, but the family of Colubridae is an incredibly diverse group that includes both venomous and non-venomous snakes.

Evolution

Fossil records show that snakes first appeared during the Cretaceous period – although they often retained their hind limbs. The earliest true snake fossils come from the marine simoliophiids, the oldest being Hassiophis terasanctus, dated between 112 and 94 million years ago.

Scientists believe that snakes descended from lizards. Pythons and boas, the most primitive snakes, have vestigial hind limbs and some have remnants of a pelvic girdle, appearing as horny projections.

Many modern snakes originate during the Paleocene, alongside the radiation of mammals that occurred after the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. The expansion of grasslands in North America led to a major radiation of snakes. During the Miocene, the number of snake species increased with the first vipers and elapids and the diversification of Columbridae.

Population & Conservation Status

According to the IUNC Red List, the boomslang is considered to be a species of least concern. Because they’re so elusive, we don’t have a lot of specific facts about their population numbers, but they appear to be numerous and widespread.

Appearance and Description

The boomslang has a very distinctive appearance that should make identification easy. It is characterized by a long, slender body, measuring up to six feet long in size, with big eyes and an egg-shaped head. In terms of color, the two sexes look very different from each other. The females have dark gray or brick-red bodies and brown bellies, whereas the males have bright green bodies with black or blue outlines traced along with the scales (although yellow and brown variations have also been identified). These color schemes are important adaptations that provide camouflage among the trees. Young snakes are born with gray skin yellow throats and black spots. They do not achieve their adult coloration until they reach full maturity.

How to identify the boomslang:

• Brown or gray female, bright green male with black or blue outlines
• Long, slender body measuring anywhere between three and six feet in size
• Big black eyes on adults and juveniles have emerald green eyes
• Rounded egg-shaped head
• Big fangs near the back of the mouth

Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

Boomslangs have some of the most potent venoms among the entire group of rear-fanged snakes. When injected, the venom will attack the body’s circulatory system and stop its ability to clot blood properly. Many victims simply bleed to death both internally and externally. Because it acts so slowly on people, the venom is intended as an offensive capability against smaller animals instead of a defensive measure against larger ones. When threatened by predators, they instead can widen their necks and open their mouths to appear larger. They also secrete a foul-smelling substance.

Behavior and Humans

Despite its highly toxic venom, the boomslang is a fairly timid snake. They spend most of their lives in trees and do not generally strike out at people except as a last resort. Most attacks come when they are directly handled by a person (though they do not give a warning sign before striking). Symptoms will usually begin several hours after the venom is delivered, but the victim usually survives when proper treatment is given. If one does not receive proper treatment in time, then there is a chance that the venom could prove to be fatal.

Diet

Like most snakes, the boomslang feeds on birds, nestlings, frogs, lizards, and occasionally, on small mammals like mice.

Similar Animals

If you are interested in reading more about snakes, we recommend these articles:

• Western green mamba
• Black mamba
• Eastern green mamba