Boomslang Snake

Boomslang Snake, What is, Color, Where it Lives

What is Boomslang Snake

The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a large, highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa and is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, savannahs, and grasslands.

Boomslangs are excellent climbers and are highly arboreal, living mainly in trees and shrubs. They are also very well-camouflaged, with green and brown scales that blend in well with their surroundings.

Boomslangs are ambush predators, waiting for their prey to come to them before striking. They prey on a variety of small animals, including lizards, frogs, birds, and rodents. They use their venom to immobilize their prey before swallowing it whole.

Boomslang venom is a hemotoxin, which means that it affects the blood-clotting function of the victim. A boomslang bite can be serious, and it is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten.

Boomslangs are generally shy snakes and avoid contact with humans. However, they can be aggressive if they feel threatened, and they will strike if they feel cornered.

Tips for staying safe around boomslangs:

• Be aware of your surroundings and watch for boomslangs, especially when you are in areas with dense vegetation.
• Do not approach or handle boomslangs. If you see a boomslang, back away slowly and leave the area.
• Wear long pants and boots when walking in areas where boomslangs may be present.
• Be sure to get your pet dogs and cats vaccinated against snake bites.

If you are bitten by a boomslang, it is important to remain calm and seek medical attention immediately. There is an antivenom available for boomslang bites, but it is most effective if given early.

The Venom of This Snake Causes You to Bleed from All Your Orifices Until You Die!

You know, it’s terrible when a snake injects its venom into your body. But what if we told you that a snake can both deliver its venom into your body and make you bleed from all your existing holes? Does that sound appealing?

The Dispholidus typus, also known as the Boomslang, is a venomous tree snake native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a cute, chunky face and disproportionately large eyes. Males have bright, light green skin, while females sport brown skin.

This snake spends most of its life up in the trees, where it hunts lizards, frogs, chameleons, mice, and birds. It’s extremely shy and non-aggressive. If it encounters something too large to swallow, it quickly retreats, often leaving the other creature completely unaware of the snake’s presence.

In a way, this species can be called the “cat” of the snake world because it often lurks around the protected nests of birds, and when it’s time for hibernation, it curls up inside these bird nests.

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Setting aside their non-aggressive tendencies, being bitten by one of these snakes is incredibly, and I mean incredibly, unlucky. Belonging to a group known as “rear-fanged snakes,” these animals have their venom-carrying teeth located far back in their mouths, behind numerous other teeth. This means that if they want to bite someone, they have to open their mouths incredibly wide, at approximately 170 degrees. This allows them to wrap their mouths around the flesh of their prey and deliver their venomous bite. These attacks on humans are so rare that, to date, there have been no more than 10 recorded fatal boomslang attacks worldwide.

Anatomically, they are so ill-suited for biting humans that until the 1950s, boomslangs were considered non-dangerous animals. In a fascinating article written by Paul Donovan for Reptiles Magazine, the story of how the renowned herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt was bitten and killed by a boomslang on September 26, 1957, at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is recounted. This is the first recorded case of its kind, and understandably, it shocked Schmidt’s colleagues. Schmidt, who had spent his entire life working at the zoo and handling a young boomslang snake in a bag, was bitten on the thumb by a single fang when he opened the bag, an event he did not expect.

Not only did the scientific community consider this snake harmless (as rear-fanged snakes from the Colubridae family very rarely pose a threat to humans), but it also takes several hours for the snake’s venom to take effect. Schmidt meticulously noted every symptom as they appeared. Approximately 24 hours after being bitten, he was found dead at his home, succumbing to respiratory failure and severe brain hemorrhage. An article in the Sarasota Journal dated October 3, 1957, describes how Schmidt met his unfortunate demise.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Schmidt’s diary documented a 15-hour period that began with his boarding a subway train after being bitten and ended the following morning. His colleagues reported that Schmidt had mentioned feeling better and getting ready to return to work. The last entry in the diary was made on September 26 after he had breakfast. His colleagues assumed there were no further entries because Schmidt believed he had recovered and informed the zoo that he would be returning to work the next day. Schmidt, who did not seek medical attention, fell into a coma around 2 a.m.

Donovan, himself a renowned herpetologist, described how Schmidt’s death affected the reptile science community:

Schmidt’s death changed our perception of boomslang snakes. Subsequent analyses showed that, although not as potent as front-fanged snakes, the venom of this snake is toxic. Today, the boomslang is considered one of Africa’s most venomous snakes.

Although its venom can cause effects such as headaches, nausea, and drowsiness, its main impact lies in its anticoagulant properties. The venom acts as a type of hemotoxin; it kills red blood cells, reduces blood clotting, and leads to the breakdown of organs and tissues. Victims experience severe muscle and brain hemorrhages, causing blood to leak from any available opening in their bodies. These openings can include the nostrils, the roof of the mouth, and even tiny cuts in the skin. Blood also mixes with the victim’s feces, urine, and saliva, leading to vomiting until death. Donovan explained to Reptiles Magazine:

The cause of death is attributed to internal bleeding that develops. It’s a very slow, slithering process. The venom can take 3 to 5 days to kill a person. Strangely, there’s said to be a yellow hue to all bite cases, perhaps from bleeding inside the eyes.

The venom’s slow action means that individuals can survive by receiving antivenom. However, it also puts individuals who are unaware of snakebites or unfamiliar with snakes at serious risk. During the first few hours after the bite, there is often a false sense of security, with the victim believing that there is nothing to worry about.

Boomslang Snake Venom Effect

Boomslang snake venom is a hemotoxin, which means that it affects the blood-clotting function of the victim. This can lead to internal and external bleeding, which can be fatal.

Symptoms of boomslang envenomation may not appear for several hours after the bite. They can include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Bleeding from the gums, nose, and other orifices
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Pain

In severe cases, boomslang envenomation can lead to:

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition in which blood clots form throughout the body, blocking blood vessels and preventing blood from reaching vital organs
• Organ failure
• Coma
• Death

If you are bitten by a boomslang, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. There is an antivenom available for boomslang bites, but it is most effective if given early.

First aid for a boomslang bite:

1. Immobilize the bitten limb.
2. Keep the victim calm and reassured.
3. Apply a pressure bandage to the bite site.
4. Transport the victim to the nearest hospital or medical facility immediately.

Prevention:

The best way to prevent a boomslang bite is to be aware of your surroundings and avoid contact with the snakes. If you see a boomslang, do not approach it. Instead, back away slowly and leave the area.

Where Does Boomslang Live?

The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is an excellent climber and is highly arboreal, living mainly in forested areas. Boomslangs can also be found in savannahs, grasslands, and karoo shrubs.

The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is an excellent climber and is highly arboreal, living mainly in forested areas. Boomslangs can also be found in savannahs, grasslands, and karoo shrubs.

Boomslang snake habitat

The boomslang’s range extends from South Africa north through eastern and western Africa, as far as Ethiopia and Senegal. It is also found in Madagascar.

Boomslangs prefer to live in areas with dense vegetation, where they can find plenty of prey and places to hide. They are often found in trees and shrubs, but they will also come to the ground to hunt or bask in the sun.

Boomslangs are solitary snakes and are most active during the day. They prey on a variety of small animals, including lizards, frogs, birds, and rodents. They use their venom to immobilize their prey before swallowing it whole.

Boomslangs are venomous snakes, but their venom is not as potent as that of some other African snakes, such as the black mamba or the spitting cobra. However, a boomslang bite can still be serious, and it is important to seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten.