Boomslang
FamilyColubridae
Venom TypeVenomous
Max Length2 m
RangeSub-Saharan Africa
HabitatTrees, Savanna
DietChameleons, birds, eggs
Danger LevelHigh
About the Boomslang
Their name means tree snake in Afrikaans. Rear-fanged but extremely venomous — herpetologist Karl Schmidt died from a boomslang bite in 1957 after dismissing it as harmless. Their venom causes internal bleeding throughout the body. Large eyes provide excellent binocular vision. Can open their jaws 170 degrees. Usually very shy and will flee rather than bite.
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