| Boomslang | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Dispholidus |
| Species | D. typus |
| Conservation Status | |
 Least Concern | |
The Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a highly venomous snake from the sub-saharan areas of Africa. These snakes should be treated carefully and avoided if capable to humans, as their unusual venom will make you bleed internally and externally and may end up fatal. These beasts will not hesitate to eat fresh chameleon meat and like all snakes, they swallow their prey whole. This snake is one of few snakes able to fold their fangs upwards into the roof of their mouth. This is called solenoglyphus. The strange name means 'tree snake' in Afrikaans and Dutch.
They can open their mouths a full 170° and grow to lengths of 1.5 metres. Their colours vary between genders, females are a dull brown colour and males are green and yellow like the one shown in the info box. They live in the treetops, darting from branch to branch, remaining hidden due to their camouflaged scales, giving them the element of surprise when hunting, their eyes are better than than that of other snakes aswell. They are well distributed across the entirety of Africa and are at least concern of becoming extinct. The Boomslang hides in trees and strike at unsuspecting prey, rarely leaving without a meal. They eat a variety of food other than chameleons including other lizards, eggs, birds, frogs and other snakes. They rarely attack humans and mainly hide from larger animals such as ourselves.
Very little has been learnt about threats or predators to Boomslangs, but we have seen reports of Boomslangs being attacked by larger birds and other Boomslangs.