Boomslang Snake

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a poisonous snake belonging to the Colubridae family, and one of the few colubrid species that poses a serious threat to humans. This slender snake can reach a length of 1.8 metres (6 feet) and can be found in savannas in Sub-Saharan Africa. It waits for chameleons and birds in a bush or tree when hunting; the forepart of the body often extends motionless into the air.

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Its body and eye colours are highly changeable, and it has superb concealment. The boomslang inflates the neck in protection, revealing the dark skin between the scales; it then strikes. The fangs are situated rather far forward in the mouth, despite the fact that it is rear-fanged. In modest doses, the venom causes haemorrhages and can be lethal to humans.

Scientific Classification Of Boomslang

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies.

D. t. kivuensis Laurent, 1955

D. t. punctatus Laurent, 1955

D. t. typus (A. Smith, 1828)

The fact that D. t. typus has a trinomial authority in parentheses suggests that the subspecies was first described in a genus other than Dispholidus.

Description

The total length of an adult boomslang is 100–160 centimetres (3.3–5.2 ft). Some are taller than 183 cm (6.00 ft). The eyes are disproportionately huge, and the head has an egg-like appearance. Colouration varies a lot. Males have light green scale margins with black or blue edges, whereas adult females can be brown. Weight ranges from 175 g (0.386 lb) to 510 g (1.124 lb), with an average of 299.4 g. (0.660 lb).

The head and the neck are distinct in this species, as is the canthus rostralis. The extraordinarily large eye's pupil is circular. The boomslang has great vision and frequently swings its head from side to side to improve its view of objects right in front of it. The maxillary teeth are modest in the front, with seven or eight teeth, and three very big, grooved fangs below each eye. The mandibular teeth are not evenly spaced. The body has been squeezed slightly. The dorsal scales are thin, oblique, and heavily keeled, with 19 or 21 rows of apical pits. The subcaudal scales are paired, and the tail is lengthy. The subcaudals are 91–131, the ventral scales are 164–201, the anal plate is separated, and the subcaudals are 164–201.

Geographic Range

Boomslang is only found in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, and northern Sub-Saharan Africa are all home to this species.

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Reproduction

Boomslangs are oviparous, meaning that an adult female can lay up to 30 eggs in a hollow tree trunk or rotting log. The eggs have a somewhat extended incubation time (3 months on average). Female hatchlings are pale brown while male hatchlings are grey with blue speckles. After several years, they develop their adult colouration. Hatchlings are about 20 cm (7.9 in) long and pose no threat to humans, but by the time they reach a length of 45 cm (18 in) and a girth as thick as an adult's smallest finger, they are severely venomous.

Behaviour and Diet

D. typus is a diurnal and solitary creature that avoids anything too huge to consume. Chameleons and other arboreal lizards, frogs, and small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds are all part of its diet, which it eats whole. Boomslangs will eat other snakes as well, including cannibalism among their own species. Boomslangs brumate for short periods of time during cold weather, frequently curling up inside a weaver bird's protected nest.

Habits and Lifestyle 

Boomslangs are nocturnal and virtually entirely arboreal creatures. They will occasionally descend to the ground to hunt and bask in the sun. When the weather is bad, they may seek shelter underground. Boomslangs are solitary, reclusive creatures that avoid anything that is too large for them to eat. They spend the day searching for a suitable hiding spot in trees or shrubs, moving among tree branches until they find one. These snakes can stalk their prey without being noticed. They brumate for short periods of time during cool weather, typically snuggling up within the enclosed bird nests. Boomslangs are shy snakes that bite only when people try to catch, handle, or kill them. When approached and cornered, they puff up their necks and strike in an "S" form.

Venom

Because of their small venom glands and ineffective fangs, many venomous members of the Colubridae family are harmless to humans. The boomslang, on the other hand, is known for having an extremely strong venom delivered through enormous fangs in the back of the jaw. When biting, the boomslang may open its jaws up to 170 degrees. The venom of the boomslang is predominantly a hemotoxin, which inhibits the coagulation process and causes internal and external bleeding, which can lead to death. The venom has been shown to cause bleeding in areas like the brain and muscle. Headache, nausea, tiredness, and mental difficulties are some of the other indications and symptoms.

Because the venom of the boomslang is slow-acting, symptoms may not appear for several hours after the bite. Although the absence of symptoms allows for adequate time to obtain antivenom, it can also provide false reassurance to victims, causing them to underestimate the severity of the bite. When snakes of many species fail to inject venom when they bite (a so-called "dry bite"), victims of boomslang bites may mistakenly conclude that their injury is not serious or life-threatening after a few hours with no obvious repercussions. The pathophysiological mechanisms of venom vary by a snake, resulting in a wide range of clinical symptoms in each patient.

The venom of an adult boomslang ranges from 1.6 to 8 mg. In mice, the median fatal dose (LD50) is 0.1 mg/kg (intravenously). There has also been a report of 0.071 mg/kg(IV). Karl Schmidt died in 1957 after being bitten by a juvenile boomslang, which he had disputed could deliver a lethal dose. Almost to the end, he kept track of the symptoms he was having. Between 1919 and 1962, D. S. Chapman reported eight significant envenomations by boomslangs, two of which were fatal.

During the 1940s, Boomslang monovalent antivenom was produced. Monovalent antivenom is produced by the South African Vaccine Producers for use in boomslang envenomations. Complete blood transfusions may be required to treat bites, especially after 24 to 48 hours without antivenom.

The boomslang is a fearful snake, and bites are usually only caused by people attempting to handle, catch, or kill it. It inflates its neck and strikes in an "S"-shaped striking position when confronted and cornered. According to the information presented above, the boomslang is unlikely to be a substantial source of human mortality across its entire geographic range.

Boomslang Snake Facts 

Some of the interesting Boomslang snake facts have been given below:

• Boomslang can grow to be 3 to 5 feet long and weigh 0.4 to 1.1 pounds.

• Females have a brownish colouration. Males have brilliantly coloured scales with black or blue edges that cover their bodies. The hue of the belly might be yellowish, greyish, or light brown.

• Boomslang's eyes are huge and golden in hue, with circular pupils. It has exceptional vision and can identify even immobile chameleons.

• Boomslang has a thin, laterally flattened body covered in broad, highly keeled, overlapping scales and a small, egg-shaped head. In the neck area, the skin between the scales is black.

• Boomslang is a nocturnal creature (active during the day).

• The name "boomslang" is a South African term for a "tree snake."

• Boomslang is a tree-dwelling creature (adapted to life in the trees). It will sometimes descend to the ground in search of food.

• Boomslang is a meat eater (meat-eater). Birds, arboreal lizards, and rodents make up its food. Boomslangs frequently visit social weavers' nests to gather eggs.

• Boomslang is a snake with a fanged tail (their fangs are located at the back of the jaws). Boomslang, unlike other rear-fanged snakes, possesses huge fangs and can extend its mouth 170 degrees during an assault. Boomslang uses a stabbing action to inject the venom.

• Humans can be killed by boomslang bites. Envenomation symptoms emerge a few hours or a day after the bite. If a person does not receive an antivenin, the venom causes internal bleeding, which can lead to death.

• Boomslang rarely assaults people, despite its lethal poison. When cornered, it is more likely to try to flee rather than bite. Boomslang puffs up its neck.

• Boomslangs have a mating season that lasts from July to October. Males fight each other furiously to establish dominance and mate opportunities.

• The female lays 10 to 25 eggs in hollow trees and logs, as well as under rotting foliage. The incubation period might extend anywhere from 65 to 100 days.

• At birth, hatchlings are 12 inches long, grey or brown in hue, and covered on the dorsal side of the body with dark and light bluish spots. Brown patches cover the yellowish or pinkish belly. Their eyes are iridescent green and big. The distinctive vertebral stripes of young boomslangs will go away before they reach adulthood. At the age of 2 to 3 years, boomslangs reach sexual maturity.

• Boomslangs can live in the wild for up to 8 years.

A boomslang is a venomous, big snake native to Africa. In Dutch and Afrikaans, its name means "tree snake." Boomslangs eat eggs as well as tiny animals including chameleons, frogs, and birds. Boomslangs, like all snakes, do not chew; instead, they swallow everything whole. Boomslang venom (poison) causes blood coagulation to be disrupted, which can lead to death. Following a bite, you may have headaches, nausea, and tiredness.