Boomslang

Boomslang — A boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is a relatively small, venomous colubrid snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. 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. It is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis, and Xyelodontophis, with which it formes the tribe Dispholidini.

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.

Boomslangs are diurnal, largely arboreal, and are oviparous. 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.