The boomslang is a highly venomous, tree-dwelling snake found across sub-Saharan Africa. Its name, derived from Afrikaans and Dutch, translates to “tree snake,” reflecting its primary habitat. This reptile is notable for its striking appearance and its potent venom. Despite its dangerous capabilities, the boomslang is generally reclusive and avoids confrontation.
Distinctive Features
The boomslang possesses a slender body, with adult specimens typically measuring between 100 and 160 centimeters (3.3 to 5.2 feet). Its head is distinctly egg-shaped and set apart from its neck, featuring exceptionally large, round eyes that provide excellent vision.
The coloration of the boomslang is variable and often differs between sexes. Adult males are typically bright green, sometimes with black or blue edges on their scales, providing effective camouflage among foliage. In contrast, adult females are usually brown, olive, or gray, which helps them blend into different parts of their habitat, such as tree bark or dry vegetation. Juvenile boomslangs display a distinct coloration, often appearing gray or brown with prominent emerald green eyes, gradually acquiring their adult colors over several years. The body scales are notably keeled, giving them a ridged texture.
Where It Lives and How It Behaves
Boomslangs are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting diverse environments. They are overwhelmingly arboreal, spending most of their existence in trees and shrubs, where their varied coloration serves as an effective camouflage. While primarily tree-dwellers, they may occasionally descend to the ground for hunting or to seek shelter during harsh weather.
These snakes are diurnal, meaning they are active during the daytime, and are known for their agile movements through tree branches. Boomslangs are generally shy and reclusive, preferring to avoid confrontation and typically attempting to flee when approached. When threatened or cornered, however, they may inflate their neck and assume an S-shaped striking posture as a defensive display. Their diet primarily consists of chameleons, other lizards, frogs, birds, and their eggs, but they also prey on small mammals and occasionally other snakes.
The Nature of Its Venom
The boomslang is classified as a rear-fanged snake, meaning its venom-injecting fangs are located towards the back of its upper jaw, rather than at the front like vipers or elapids. Despite this placement, the snake can open its jaws remarkably wide, enabling it to effectively deliver its venom during a bite. The venom of the boomslang is primarily hemotoxic, which means it interferes with the body’s blood-clotting mechanisms.
This disruption to blood coagulation can lead to extensive internal and external bleeding. Symptoms of a boomslang bite can include headache, nausea, sleepiness, confusion, and bleeding from various bodily orifices such as the gums, nose, and eyes. In severe cases, the venom can cause widespread clotting, leading to complications like renal failure and damage to other organs.
A significant characteristic of boomslang envenomation is the delayed onset of symptoms, which can take several hours, often between 4 and 30 hours, to manifest. This delay can create a false sense of security for bite victims, potentially leading them to underestimate the seriousness of the situation. Due to the venom’s potency and slow-acting nature, immediate medical attention is essential following a bite.
A specific monovalent antivenom for boomslang bites has been available since the 1940s. This antivenom is highly effective when administered promptly. In some instances, treatment may also necessitate blood transfusions to address the effects of bleeding. Bites from boomslangs are generally rare, typically occurring only when the snake is handled or perceives a direct threat.