Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
This week’s CSRI snake of the week is the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) from the Colubridae family. They are generally a very shy species, and a favourite of CSRI snake handler Edd.
Whilst most snakes in the Colubridae family are harmless to humans, Boomslangs have slow-acting but highly potent haemotoxic venom.
The slow-acting nature of Boomslang venom often results in a false security that envenoming was unsuccessful. Boomslangs are largely arboreal, and feast on chameleons, lizards, and frogs in the wild.