Snakes > Boomslang

Boomslang / Boomslang

Dispholidus typus typus

Size These snakes attain an average length of 1 m (max. 1.8 m).

Description Males and females may differ significantly in colouration, but this large, slender and graceful snake with its massive eyes is easy to identify. Another identifying character is the diagonally keeled and elongated dorsal scales. Males from the Western Cape are generally black with cream to yellow spots along the lower sides and the ventral scales are black edged in yellow. Females are duller, varying from brownish grey to charcoal with pale yellow edged ventral scales. Hatchlings have very different colouration as they are a speckled grey, with white lips, pale brown or green eyes and orange interstitial skin on the throat which is visible if they expand their throat in threat.

Biology The snakes are primarily arboreal and are amazingly agile in trees. They do venture onto the ground and when they do so they keep their head raised off the ground to enable them see their surroundings well. They generally move very fast when on the ground as they are more visible and vulnerable. They are often mobbed by birds, upon which they regularly prey. They are generalist feeders and will also eat lizards – particularly chameleons, frogs, rodents and other snakes. They are nervous, fast, agile snakes with excellent vision and thus manage to avoid encounters with humans. Most people only get to see a glimpse of the snake before they ascend a tree or disappear in thick vegetation. For this reason, and the rear position of the fangs, bites from this species are very rare and restricted to snake handlers. The venom is a slow-acting, but very potent haemotoxin for which a specific Boomslang antivenom or whole blood transfusion is required. They lay between 10 and 25 eggs.

Distribution They are distributed throughout the well-vegetated parts of Africa.

Distribution in GCBC Probably occurs throughout the Corridor in suitable habitat, i.e. thick fynbos and forest.

Conservation Status Not listed.

Threats Habitat destruction and intentional killing by people. Although this snake possesses a potent venom, it poses almost no danger as it avoids close encounters with humans and does not bite readily and also has fangs situated far back in the mouth. Avoiding killing this snake will also help avoiding the opportunity for being bitten.

Current studies None