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Boomslang

Reptiles

The boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a highly venomous tree snake native to sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from West Africa through Central and East Africa to the southern part of the continent. Though it is a rear-fanged colubrid rather than a front-fanged viper or elapid, its potent hemotoxic venom disrupts blood clotting and can cause fatal bleeding in humans, even though the snake is typically shy and reclusive and bites are rare. It shows strong sexual dimorphism, with males usually bright green and females duller brown, and its unusually large eyes and egg-shaped head are distinctive. It preys mainly on chameleons and other arboreal lizards, along with frogs, birds, and small mammals, and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Venomous or Dangerous to Humans 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Scientific Name
Dispholidus typus 2
Conservation Status
Least Concern 3
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Colubridae, Taxa
Source Boomslang (Wikidata)

In Biome

Grassland, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Boomslang
Savanna, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Boomslang
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Dispholidus typus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Dispholidus typus
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
    The highly potent venom of boomslangs can cause death in humans, but they typically only strike if handled.
View the Source
2. Boomslang (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q893048 (P225 taxon name)
  • Statements section, habitat (P2974): Terrestrial
    Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a terrestrial habitat type.
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
  • Child Taxon Of: Colubridae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
3. Wikipedia: Boomslang
Wikipedia
  • Introduction
    It preys mainly on chameleons and other arboreal lizards, along with frogs, birds, and small mammals, and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
  • In Biome: Grassland, Habitat
    D. typus lives in karoo shrubs, savannahs, lowland forests, and in grasslands.
  • In Biome: Savanna, Habitat
    D. typus lives in karoo shrubs, savannahs, lowland forests, and in grasslands.
View the Source
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