Boomslang

Appearance

The average adult boomslang is 100-160 cm in total length, but some exceed 183 cm . The eyes are exceptionally large, and the head has a characteristic egg-like shape. Coloration is very variable. Males are light green with black or blue scale edges, but adult females may be brown.

in this species, the head is distinct from the neck and the canthus rostralis is distinct. The pupils of the very large eyes are round. The maxillary teeth are small anteriorly, seven or eight in number, followed by three very large, grooved fangs situated below each eye. The mandibular teeth are subequal. The body is slightly compressed. The dorsal scales are very narrow, oblique, strongly keeled, with apical pits, arranged in 19 or 21 rows. The tail is long, and the subcaudals are paired. Ventrals are 164-201; the anal plate is divided; and the subcaudals are 91-131.

Naming

It is currently the only species in its genus, although several species and subspecies have been described in the past. Its name means "tree snake" in Afrikaans and Dutch - ''boom'' meaning "tree" , and ''slang'' meaning "snake". In Afrikaans, the name is pronounced ]. The snake is thought to be closely related to members of the genera ''Thelotornis'', ''Thrasops'', ''Rhamnophis'', and ''Xyelodontophis'', with which it forms the taxonomic tribe Dispholidini.

Behavior

Boomslangs are diurnal and largely arboreal. Their diet includes chameleons and other arboreal lizards, frogs, and occasionally small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds, all of which they swallow whole. During cool weather, they will hibernate for moderate periods, often curling up inside the enclosed nests of birds such as weavers.

Reproduction

Boomslangs are oviparous. The eggs have a relatively long incubation period. Hatchlings are greyish with blue speckles. They attain their adult coloration after several years.

Food

Boomslangs are diurnal and largely arboreal. Their diet includes chameleons and other arboreal lizards, frogs, and occasionally small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds, all of which they swallow whole. During cool weather, they will hibernate for moderate periods, often curling up inside the enclosed nests of birds such as weavers.

Defense

Many venomous members of the family Colubridae are harmless to humans because of small venom glands, weak venom, or inefficient fangs. However, the boomslang is a notable exception in that it has a highly potent venom, which it delivers through large fangs that are located in the back of the jaw. Boomslangs open their jaws 90 degrees when biting. The venom of the boomslang is primarily a hemotoxin; it disables the blood clotting process and the victim may well die as a result of internal and external bleeding. The venom causes the victim to bleed from all of the holes in its body. Other signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, sleepiness and mental disorders.

Because the venom is slow to act, symptoms may not be manifested until many hours after the bite. While this provides time for procuring the antivenom, it also may lead victims to underestimate the seriousness of the bite. Snakes of any species may sometimes fail to inject venom when they bite, so after a few hours without any noticeable effects, victims of boomslang bites may believe their injury is not serious.

An adult boomslang has 1.6–8 mg of venom. Various sources give figures ranging from 0.06 - 0.72 mg/kg being sufficient to kill mice in 50% of cases, if the venom reaches a vein .

In 1957, well-known herpetologist Karl Schmidt died after being bitten by a boomslang. D.S. Chapman stated eight serious human envenomations by boomslangs occurred between 1919 and 1962, two of which were fatal. The manufactures a monovalent antivenin for use in boomslang envenomations.

The boomslang is a timid snake, and bites generally occur only when people attempt to handle, catch or kill the animal. The above data suggest boomslangs are unlikely to be a significant source of human fatalities throughout their distribution range.

Cultural

*Shredded skin of a boomslang is one of the ingredients to make the Polyjuice Potion in J.K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets''.
⤷ The venom of the boomslang also features in the Agatha Christie thriller, ''Death in the Clouds'' , featuring her famous detective, Hercule Poirot.
⤷ A distillation of boomslang venom is combined with dimethyl sulfoxide to create a contact poison that is the murder weapon in an episode of ''Quincy, ME''.
⤷ A character named Boomslang is a Marvel Comics supervillain.
⤷ ''Boomslang'' is the title of a 2003 album by former Smiths guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr, credited to Johnny Marr and the Healers.
⤷ In the video game Warriors Orochi, the main villain, Orochi , has many subordinate generals named after snakes; Boomslang is one.