The boomslang is a long, venomous snake of sub-Saharan Africa with a distinctive head, large eyes and circular pupils, and it feeds on birds and chameleons in trees. Its colour varies with the area it comes from, from leaf-green to rust-red, and its haemotoxic venom prevents blood clotting, although bites are not common and occur when the snake is being handled.
Boomslang
Name
Boomslang [Dispholidus typus]
Appearance
The Boomslang is a long snake with a unique head with large eyes and circular pupils. The boomslang’s colour differs depending on the area of birth for example it can be leaf-green with a light green-yellow belly, rust-red with an orange-pink belly.
Diet
The Boomslang feeds on birds and chameleons in trees but it can also feed on small animals like mice.
Distribution
Boomslang can be found in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it occurs in the northern parts of the country and spreads to Cape Town along the eastern and southern coasts.
Breeding
The Boomslang mates in spring and clutches are usually 10-14 eggs. Eggs are laid in tree hollows and leaf litter. Eggs take between 60 and 90 days to hatch.
Venom
This snake is equipped with a hemotoxic venom (This venom prevents blood clotting), people die because of haemorrhage. Bites are not common but it does occur when these snakes are being handled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a boomslang eat?
The boomslang feeds on birds and chameleons, which it hunts in trees, but it can also eat small animals such as mice.
Is a boomslang bite deadly?
It can be. The boomslang has a haemotoxic venom that prevents blood clotting, and people who die from a bite die of haemorrhage. Bites are not common, but they do occur when the snake is being handled.
What colour is a boomslang?
It depends on the area where the snake was born. A boomslang can be leaf-green with a light green-yellow belly or rust-red with an orange-pink belly, and it has a distinctive head with large eyes and circular pupils.
How many eggs does a boomslang lay?
Usually 10 to 14. Boomslangs mate in spring and lay their eggs in tree hollows and leaf litter, and the eggs take between 60 and 90 days to hatch.
Where is the boomslang found?
The boomslang is found in sub-Saharan Africa, and its range spreads along the eastern and southern coasts as far as Cape Town.
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