There is little known about the lifespan and longevity of boomslangs. In the wild, they avoid interaction with humans, making it difficult to observe them in their natural environment. Based on observation in captivity, it is estimated that boomslangs live approximately eight years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity is slightly longer and the main reason for this is the absence of predation.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 8.7 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 8 years.
There are no documented positive effects of boomslangs on humans. Boomslang venom may be useful in research of the effects and treatment of haemotoxic venom.
Positive Impacts: research and education
The highly potent venom of boomslangs can cause death in humans, but they typically only strike if handled.
Negative Impacts: injures humans (bites or stings, venomous )
Sex of boomslang offspring is temperature dependent. In the spring, boomslangs hatch from their eggs after an incubation time of 2 to 3 months and can quickly grow up to 1 to 1.5 m in length. Females are usually an olive-brown color while the males are usually a vibrant green color with streaks of black and blue on the edges of their scales.
Development - Life Cycle: temperature sex determination
Boomslangs are at no risk of becoming endangered or threatened at the present time.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
Little is known about the communication and perception abilities of boomslangs. Snakes, in general, do not have well developed eyesight but are able to see movement and color. Boomslangs, however, have stereoscopic vision allowing them to have good depth perception and color vision. Because they do not have a well-developed sense of smell, they rely on sensing vibrations on the ground and flicking their tongues outside of their mouths as a means of detecting chemical scents in the air. Colubrids in general secrete a foul-smelling odor when threatened and use pheromones in attracting mates. Boomslangs are generally solitary. As a result, they rarely communicate with other animals unless they feel threatened. When threatened, they have the ability to make their bodies appear larger by widening their neck and opening their mouth. Boomslangs rarely strike except, as a means of catching prey or if they are handled in captivity. When striking does occur, however, they do not give a warning sign before attacking.
Communication Channels: visual ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: vibrations
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; vibrations ; chemical
There is little documentation on the importance of boomslangs to their environment. They are, however, important as prey for various birds, including falcons and kestrels (Falconidae) and eagles and vultures (Accipitridae).
Boomslangs are carnivorous. Their main diet consists of small arboreal lizards and frogs, including chameleons. Occasionally, they feed on small mammals, birds, the eggs of reptiles and birds, and even cannibalize other boomslangs. Most colubrids do not change their diet throughout their lives. After injecting their prey with their highly potent, haemotoxic venom, they swallow their prey whole. Boomslangs, like most other snakes, can consume large prey because of their ability to unhinge their jaws and use muscles throughout their body to move their food down their digestive tract.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates, Eats eggs)
Dispholidus typus is a terrestrial snake species that is widely distributed throughout Africa. It is indigenous to Africa and not introduced to any other regions. This species is most commonly found in the central and southern regions of the continent. They are most abundant in Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, but have been observed as far north as Nigeria and southern Chad, and have been reported as far east as eastern Guinea.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Boomslangs are long, slender snakes with small, stubby, egg-shaped heads and very large eyes. The average length of an adult is 1.2 to 1.5 meters. Since these snakes are long and slender, they can move through the trees swiftly to catch prey or flee from danger. They exhibit sexual dimorphism because the female and male differ in color. The females are generally a greenish-brown color with a light shade of brown on their bellies. Males, however, are much more colorful and can exhibit a variety of colors. They can be a deep, olive-green or bright green with black outlining of their scales. The males have also been seen with a dark brown or black dorsal scales and a bright yellow or gray belly. Early in the life of boomslangs, they are grey and have bright yellow throats with black specks. It may take a couple of years for young snakes to attain their adult color. Colubrids in general have relatively large scales on their belly. Boomslangs have an average of nineteen rows of very keeled scales. They also typically have nine large scales on their head.
Dispholidus typus is classified as a member of Solenoglypha because of their ability to fold their fangs back into their mouth when unused. Dispholidus typus is considered one of the most venomous of these rear-fanged snakes. When they bite, it appears as though they are chewing because of their rear-fangs. It is possible for boomslangs to open their mouth one-hundred seventy degrees. They primarily have very potent hemotoxic venom that they inject into their victim, attacking their circulatory system. This venom stops the clotting ability of blood causing the victim to bleed to death both internally and externally. This slow-acting venom causes symptoms to start occurring in the victim several hours after contact and can be fatal if proper treatment is not given.
Range length: 1.2 to 2.0 m.
Average length: 1.5 m.
Other Physical Features: heterothermic ; venomous
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently; male more colorful
Boomslangs are preyed upon by some of the larger carnivorous birds indigenous to southern Africa, as well as by their own species. Boomslangs spend most of their time in low-lying shrubs and short trees where their long, slender bodies and varied coloration provide excellent camouflage, hiding them from predators and aiding in the capture of prey. The coloring of boomslangs helps to camouflage them in their arboreal habitats, even at a young age. It is not know whether or not boomslangs are more prone to being preyed upon at certain stages of their lives.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Dispholidus typus is found in a variety of ecosystem types throughout Africa. They are commonly found in karoo scrubs, arid savannas, and east African lowland forests that range in elevation from 1200 to 1400 m. Karoo scrubs are low-lying semi-desert areas unique to South Africa. They have numerous dry seasons throughout the year. The vegetation is composed of a large variety of short, low-lying trees and shrubs. A savanna consists of a variety of grasses with several species of small, single-stemmed trees. The east African lowland forest has more abundant moisture and is composed of a greater diversity and abundance of trees than karoo and savanna. Boomslangs are also found in the Eastern and Central Plateaus (1400 to 3300 m) and in grasslands (1600 to 1700 m). The plateaus are a mountainous region located just off the coastline. These grasslands have plenty of water with thick, diverse vegetation. The most likely place to find this reptile is in the moistest areas within these regions, they tend to avoid extremely dry, desert-like ecosystems. They mainly live in low-lying shrubs and short trees. They have long, slender bodies with various colors that tend to blend with the trees and shrubs within these areas. They will occasionally move to the ground for the primary purpose of hunting and soaking up the sun.
Range elevation: 1200 to 1700 m.
Average elevation: 1500 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest
The mating season for male and female boomslangs has been observed in December and January. Females follow hormonal trail left behind by the male. Unlike most other snakes, boomslangs can mate in trees. They also can mate on the ground. They do not mate for life, but there is little information on how many mates a boomslang will have in its lifetime.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Female boomslangs follow the scent of male hormone trails. After mating, there is a period from four to eight weeks before the female lays eggs. Eggs are usually laid in an area of decay, such as a rotting tree stump or pile of leaves. On average, eight to fourteen leathery eggs are laid and up to 27 have been observed. After the eggs have been laid, the female generally leaves the eggs alone and never returns to check on the young. The snakes hatch using a special "egg tooth" to work their way out of the shell. At birth, the length of the baby snake ranges from 29 to 38 cm. As hatchlings, boomslangs need to eat every two or three days. At this stage, their diet consists mainly of smaller reptiles. Their first skin shedding occurs when they are approximately ten days old.
Breeding interval: Boomslangs breed once yearly.
Breeding season: Eggs are laid from late spring to early summer.
Range number of offspring: 8 to 27.
Average number of offspring: 14.
Range gestation period: 4 to 8 weeks.
Average time to independence: 10 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 to 3 years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 to 3 years.
Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; sexual ; oviparous
Generally, females lays the eggs in a nest of rotting vegetation to aid in incubation. Once the young hatch, they are independent.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Die boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is 'n groot, gladde, giftige slang van Afrika suid van die Sahara. Dit is die enigste spesie in sy genus. Die naam in ander tale is baie na verwant aan die Afrikaanse naam.
Boomslange is anders as ander slange in die sin dat hulle seksueel dimorfies is; wyfies behou die bruin-grys kleur van onvolwasse boomslange, maar mannetjies word 'n helder groen. Volwasse boomslange word omtrent 1,5 m lank. Hulle het 'n kort, stomp neus en groot oë.
Die boomslang se gif is uiters giftig en kan tot dood lei. Dit is 'n hemotoksien. Dit beteken dat die gif die hemoglobien in die rooibloedliggaampies aanval en vernietig, en só die bloed in die slagoffer vernietig.
Wikiwoordeboek het 'n inskrywing vir boomslang.Die boomslang (Dispholidus typus) is 'n groot, gladde, giftige slang van Afrika suid van die Sahara. Dit is die enigste spesie in sy genus. Die naam in ander tale is baie na verwant aan die Afrikaanse naam.
Die Boomslang (Dispholidus typus), gelegentlich auch als Afrikanische Baumschlange oder Grüne Boomslang bezeichnet, ist eine Schlangenart aus der Familie der Nattern (Colubridae). Die Gattung Dispholidus ist monotypisch, die Boomslang ist die einzige Art der Gattung. Sie hat Giftzähne und zählt damit zu den sogenannten Trugnattern. Das Verbreitungsgebiet der Art umfasst weite Teile des tropischen Afrikas südlich der Sahara bis in den Süden Südafrikas.
Der Name Boomslang stammt (über das Afrikaans) aus dem Niederländischen und bedeutet wörtlich: Baumschlange. Auch die Englische Sprache bezeichnet diese Schlangenart als Boomslang; das Wort wird nach den englischen Ausspracheregeln gesprochen.
Adulte Individuen erreichen meist Gesamtlängen von 1,2 bis 1,5 m, maximal bis 2,0 m. Die Tiere sind schlank gebaut, der Kopf ist kurz und stumpf, die Augen sind in Relation zum Kopf enorm groß und sehr auffallend.
Die Tiere haben meist ein primäres und zwei sekundäre Temporalia, ein, selten zwei Praeocularia und meist 3, selten 2 oder 4 Postocularia. Sie haben meist 7, selten 6 oder 8 Supralabialia, von denen das dritte und vierte, seltener das vierte und fünfte an das Auge grenzen. Die Tiere haben 8–13 Infralabiala. Die Rückenschuppen sind stark gekielt. Die Tiere haben 19, selten 17 oder 21 dorsale Schuppenreihen in der Körpermitte. Die Anzahl der Bauchschuppen (Ventralschilde) variiert zwischen 164 und 201, die Zahl der geteilten Subcaudalia zwischen 104 und 142. Das Analschild ist geteilt.
Adulte Tiere zeigen hinsichtlich der Färbung deutliche Geschlechtsunterschiede. Männchen sind sehr variabel und meist deutlich bunter und kontrastreicher gezeichnet als die Weibchen, sie kommen in vier bis fünf Färbungstypen vor, zwischen denen es auch noch Übergänge gibt:
Weibchen sind oberseits meist hell- bis olivbraun und haben eine schmutzig weiße bis braune Unterseite, gelegentlich sind sie aber auch ebenso farbenfroh wie die Männchen gezeichnet. Jungtiere sind oberseits hellgrau bis braun und zeigen vor allem im vorderen Körperbereich eine feine blaue Fleckung. Die Kehle ist leuchtend hellgelb oder orange, die übrige Unterseite ist weiß bis gelblich mit dunklen Flecken. Die Iris ist leuchtend grün. Mit einer Länge von etwa 1 m wird die Färbung adulter Tiere erreicht.
Das Verbreitungsgebiet der Art umfasst weite Teile des tropischen Afrikas südlich der Sahara bis in den Süden Südafrikas. Im südlichen Afrika bewohnt die Boomslang ein weites Spektrum von Habitaten von der Karoo über feuchte und trockene Savanne, Wälder der Ebenen bis hin zu Grasland und Fynbos. Sie meidet den trockenen Westen und die zentrale Hochebene (das Highveld) Südafrikas.
Die Gattung Dispholidus ist monotypisch, die Boomslang ist bisher die einzige Art der Gattung. Aufgrund morphologischer Unterschiede dürften die Boomslangs der Insel Pemba jedoch eine eigene Art darstellen.[1] Es wurden mehrere Unterarten beschrieben, diese werden von D. G. Broadley und V. Wallach jedoch nicht anerkannt.[1]
Die Boomslang ist überwiegend tagaktiv und hält sich meist auf Bäumen oder Sträuchern auf, wo sie durch ihre Färbung sehr gut getarnt ist. Gelegentlich wird der Boden aufgesucht, zum Sonnenbad oder zur Jagd. Die Tiere jagen aktiv überwiegend in der höheren Vegetation, seltener auch auf dem Boden, vor allem in der Nähe von Fließgewässern. Beim Anblick geeigneter Beute erstarrt die Schlange mit erhobenem Kopf. Sie schnappt dann schnell zu und hält die Beute mit kauenden Bewegungen fest, bis diese durch das Gift verendet. Die Nahrung besteht vor allem aus Chamäleons und anderen baumbewohnenden Echsen, Vögeln und deren Nestlingen und Eiern sowie Fröschen. Kleine Säugetiere werden nur selten gefressen. Von verschiedenen Vögeln, zum Beispiel Bülbüls, werden Boomslangs als Feinde erkannt und angehasst.
Die Boomslang ist ovipar (eierlegend), das Gelege besteht meist aus 8 bis 14, maximal bis 27 Eiern. Die Eiablage erfolgt vom späten Frühjahr bis in die Mitte des Sommers in hohlen Bäumen, verrottendem Holz oder unter Blätterhaufen. Die Jungschlangen sind bei der Geburt 29 bis 38 cm lang.
Die Art ist sehr scheu und weicht Menschen aufgrund des sehr guten Gesichtssinnes frühzeitig aus. Die Tiere beißen nur, wenn sie angefasst werden. Bei direkter Bedrohung blähen die Tiere erst den Nacken auf und präsentieren so die bunte Haut in diesem Bereich. Bei anhaltender Bedrohung blähen sie schließlich den ganzen Körper auf und schnappen mit ruckartigen seitlichen oder vorwärtsgerichteten Bewegungen zu.
Das Gift ähnelt jenem der Amerikanischen Lanzenottern. Es wirkt hämolytisch und durch Metalloproteinasen hämorrhagisch (Blutgefäße zerstörend). Das Gift verursacht durch thrombinähnliche Enzyme (TLEs) eine Veränderung der Blutgerinnungsvorstufe Fibrinogen und hierdurch eine pathologische Aktivierung der Blutgerinnung. Dies führt über weitere Schritte zum schnellen Verbrauch der Gerinnungsfaktoren und wirkt daher gerinnungshemmend. Das Syndrom wird als Disseminierte intravasale Koagulopathie (DIC) bezeichnet. Die Patienten bluten aus der Bissstelle und Mundschleimhäuten und es kommt zu inneren Blutungen. Das Gift wirkt offenbar auch direkt nierentoxisch.[2] Die Wirkung setzt vergleichsweise spät ein, bis zur Entwicklung ernsthafter Symptome kann es 24–48 Stunden dauern.
Die durchschnittliche Giftmenge je Biss ist vergleichsweise gering; sie wird mit maximal 1,5 mg Trockengewicht angegeben. Das Gift der Boomslang ist jedoch extrem wirksam; der LD50-Wert bei Mäusen liegt bei intravenöser Verabreichung bei 0,06–0,72 mg pro kg.[3]
Die Art kann die weit hinten im Maul liegenden Giftzähne ohne weiteres bei einem Biss in den Arm oder das Bein eines Menschen einsetzen, da sie das Maul in einem Winkel von bis zu 170° öffnen kann. Bisse, bei denen eine größere Giftmenge in die Bissstelle abgegeben wird, sind für Menschen ohne Behandlung mit einem spezifischen Antiserum meist tödlich.
Die Boomslang wird trotz ihrer Giftigkeit aufgrund ihres überwiegenden Aufenthaltes in höherer Vegetation (arboricol) und ihrer Scheu als medizinisch kaum relevant beschrieben. Bissunfälle sind sehr selten und betreffen meist Schlangenhändler und Reptilienpfleger.[4] Der US-amerikanische Herpetologe Karl Patterson Schmidt starb 1957 durch den Biss einer in seinem Institut in Chicago gehaltenen Boomslang.[5] Schmidt dokumentierte die Details seines Todeskampfes in seinem Tagebuch.
Die Boomslang (Dispholidus typus), gelegentlich auch als Afrikanische Baumschlange oder Grüne Boomslang bezeichnet, ist eine Schlangenart aus der Familie der Nattern (Colubridae). Die Gattung Dispholidus ist monotypisch, die Boomslang ist die einzige Art der Gattung. Sie hat Giftzähne und zählt damit zu den sogenannten Trugnattern. Das Verbreitungsgebiet der Art umfasst weite Teile des tropischen Afrikas südlich der Sahara bis in den Süden Südafrikas.
Der Name Boomslang stammt (über das Afrikaans) aus dem Niederländischen und bedeutet wörtlich: Baumschlange. Auch die Englische Sprache bezeichnet diese Schlangenart als Boomslang; das Wort wird nach den englischen Ausspracheregeln gesprochen.
Ngole, gangawia, sukutu, nyoka-kima (Unguja) au peku (Unguja) (jina la kisayansi: Dispholidus typus) ni spishi ya nyoka-miti wenye rangi ya majani au kahawia katika familia Colubridae. Anatokea katika Afrika kusini kwa Sahara.
Nyoka huyu ni mrefu kiasi, kwa wastani sentimeta 100-160 lakini anaweza kufika zaidi ya sm 180. Kichwa chake kina umbo wa yai na macho makubwa. Magamba ya mgongo ni membamba na yana miinuko mikubwa kiasi. Rangi ya madume ni kijani na kingo za magamba ni nyeusi au buluu, lakini majike wanaweza kuwa kahawia. Kuna namna nyeusi pia.
Chonge ni majozi matatu ya meno nyuma katika taya la juu, chini ya macho. Ngole ni hatari kabisa baina ya nyoka wa Colubridae, kwa sababu wana mg 1.6-8 za sumu na wanaweza kufungua mdomo kwa nyuzi 170 waking'ata. Kwa hivyo wanaweza kuingiza sumu ya kutosha kuua mtu mzima. Hata hivyo sumu hii inafanya kazi yake polepole na dalili zinaonekana baada ya masaa mengi. Ndiyo sababu mhanga ana muda wa kutosha wa kufika hospitali na kupata makata. Hata hivyo watu wanaweza kufikiri kwanza kwamba hawakupata sumu na dalili zikionekana wamechelewa kutafuta makata. Sumu ni toksinidamu ambayo inazuia damu isigande na kusababisha uvujaji damu wa ndani na wa nje. Kwa bahati nzuri nyoka huyu hashambulii kwa kawaida na anahiari kujificha au kutimuka. Akitishwa anaweza kujiinua na kupanua shingo kama fira.
Ngole huishi mitini na hukiakia mchana. Hula vinyonga na mijusi wengine na vyura hasa lakini mamalia wadogo, ndege na mayai pia.
Ngole
Jike
Dume
Mtini
Makala hii kuhusu mnyama fulani bado ni mbegu. Ngole, gangawia, sukutu, nyoka-kima (Unguja) au peku (Unguja) (jina la kisayansi: Dispholidus typus) ni spishi ya nyoka-miti wenye rangi ya majani au kahawia katika familia Colubridae. Anatokea katika Afrika kusini kwa Sahara.
Nyoka huyu ni mrefu kiasi, kwa wastani sentimeta 100-160 lakini anaweza kufika zaidi ya sm 180. Kichwa chake kina umbo wa yai na macho makubwa. Magamba ya mgongo ni membamba na yana miinuko mikubwa kiasi. Rangi ya madume ni kijani na kingo za magamba ni nyeusi au buluu, lakini majike wanaweza kuwa kahawia. Kuna namna nyeusi pia.
Chonge ni majozi matatu ya meno nyuma katika taya la juu, chini ya macho. Ngole ni hatari kabisa baina ya nyoka wa Colubridae, kwa sababu wana mg 1.6-8 za sumu na wanaweza kufungua mdomo kwa nyuzi 170 waking'ata. Kwa hivyo wanaweza kuingiza sumu ya kutosha kuua mtu mzima. Hata hivyo sumu hii inafanya kazi yake polepole na dalili zinaonekana baada ya masaa mengi. Ndiyo sababu mhanga ana muda wa kutosha wa kufika hospitali na kupata makata. Hata hivyo watu wanaweza kufikiri kwanza kwamba hawakupata sumu na dalili zikionekana wamechelewa kutafuta makata. Sumu ni toksinidamu ambayo inazuia damu isigande na kusababisha uvujaji damu wa ndani na wa nje. Kwa bahati nzuri nyoka huyu hashambulii kwa kawaida na anahiari kujificha au kutimuka. Akitishwa anaweza kujiinua na kupanua shingo kama fira.
Ngole huishi mitini na hukiakia mchana. Hula vinyonga na mijusi wengine na vyura hasa lakini mamalia wadogo, ndege na mayai pia.
Бумсланг (лат. Dispholidus typus) — наркăмăшлă çĕлен, хурăн пуçлă çĕлен евĕрлисен шутне кĕрет. лат. Dispholidus йăхăн пĕртен пĕр тĕсĕ. Ячĕ Boomslang африкан чĕлхинчен пулса тухать, «йывăç çĕленĕ» тенине пĕлтерет.
Бумсланг (лат. Dispholidus typus) — наркăмăшлă çĕлен, хурăн пуçлă çĕлен евĕрлисен шутне кĕрет. лат. Dispholidus йăхăн пĕртен пĕр тĕсĕ. Ячĕ Boomslang африкан чĕлхинчен пулса тухать, «йывăç çĕленĕ» тенине пĕлтерет.
The boomslang (/ˈboʊmslɑːŋ/, /ˈbɔːmsləŋ/, or /ˈbuːmslæŋ/; Dispholidus typus) is a large, highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae.[2]
Its common name means "tree snake" in Dutch[3] and Afrikaans – boom meaning "tree", and slang meaning "snake". In Afrikaans, the name is pronounced [ˈbuəmslaŋ]. The boomslang is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis, and Xyelodontophis, with which it forms the taxonomic tribe Dispholidini.[4]
Two subspecies are recognised, including the nominotypical subspecies.[5]
The trinomial authority in parentheses for D. t. typus indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Dispholidus.
The average adult boomslang is 100–160 centimetres (3.3–5.2 ft) in total length. Some exceed 183 centimetres (6.00 ft). The eyes are exceptionally large, and the head has a characteristic egg-like shape. Colouration is highly variable. Males are light green with black or blue scale edges, but adult females may be brown; this demonstrates as sexual dimorphism.[6]
Weight varies from 175 to 510 g (0.386 to 1.124 lb), with an average weight of 299.4 g (0.660 lb).[7]
In this species, the head is distinct from the neck and the canthus rostralis is distinct. The pupil of the very large eye is round. The boomslang has excellent eyesight and often moves its head from side to side to get a better view of objects directly in front. 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 subcaudal scales are paired. Ventral scales are 164–201; the anal plate is divided; and the subcaudals are 91–131.[1]
The boomslang is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and north through sub-Sahara Africa.
The boomslang is an excellent climber and is highly arboreal, living mainly in forested areas. D. typus lives in karoo shrubs, savannahs, lowland forests, and in grasslands. Boomslangs are not restricted to trees and can often be found on the ground to hunt, feed, or take shelter. They will occasionally hide underground when the weather is harsh.[8]
The boomslang is oviparous, and an adult female can produce up to 30 eggs, which are deposited in a hollow tree trunk or rotting log. The eggs have a relatively long (3 months on average) incubation period. Male hatchlings are grey with blue speckles, and female hatchlings are pale brown. They attain their adult colouration after several years. Hatchlings are about 20 cm (7.9 in) in length and pose no threat to humans, but are dangerously venomous by the time they reach a length around 45 cm (18 in) and a girth as thick as an adult's smallest finger.
D. typus is diurnal and almost exclusively arboreal. It is reclusive, and moves from branch to branch when pursued by anything too large to eat. Its diet includes chameleons and other arboreal lizards,[2] frogs, and occasionally small mammals, birds, and eggs from nesting birds and reptiles,[2][9] all of which it swallows whole. Boomslangs will also feed on other snakes, including cannibalising members of their own species.[10] During cool weather, boomslangs brumate for short periods, often curling up inside the enclosed nest of a weaverbird.
Many venomous members of the family Colubridae are harmless to humans because of small venom glands and inefficient fangs. However, the boomslang is a notable exception in that it has a highly potent venom, which it delivers through large fangs located in the back of the jaw.[2] The boomslang is able to open its jaws up to 170° when biting.[11] The venom of the boomslang is primarily a hemotoxin; it works by a process in which so many small clots form in the blood that the victim loses the ability to clot further and the victim may die as a result of internal and external bleeding. The venom has been observed to cause haemorrhaging into tissues such as muscle and the brain while at the same time clogging capillaries with tiny blood clots.[2][12] Other signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, sleepiness, and mental disorders.
Because boomslang venom is slow-acting, symptoms may not become apparent until many hours after the bite. Although the absence of symptoms provides sufficient time for procuring antivenom, it can also provide victims with false reassurance, leading to their underestimating the seriousness of the bite. Snakes of any species may sometimes fail to inject venom when they bite (a so-called "dry bite"), so after a few hours without any noticeable effects, victims of boomslang bites may wrongly believe that their injury is not serious or life-threatening. The pathophysiological mechanisms of the venom are different with every snake, resulting in different clinical manifestations with every patient.[13]
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An adult boomslang has 1.6 to 8 mg of venom.[14] Its median lethal dose (LD50) in mice is 0.1 mg/kg (intravenously).[15] 0.071 mg/kg (IV) has also been reported.[16] 12.5 mg/kg (subcutaneously) and 1.3-1.8 mg/kg (intraperitoneal).[17] Based on the very low venom quantities produced by D. typus, and the very serious effects found in a good part of the reported cases, the lethal dosage for a man would be only 2 to 3 mg.[18]
In 1957, herpetologist Karl Schmidt died after being bitten by a juvenile boomslang, which he had doubted could produce a fatal dose.[19][20] He made notes on the symptoms he experienced almost to the end.[21][22] D. S. Chapman reported eight serious envenomations by boomslangs between 1919 and 1962, two of which were lethal.[23]
Boomslang monovalent antivenom was developed during the 1940s. The South African Vaccine Producers manufactures a monovalent antivenom for use in boomslang envenomations.[24] Treatment of bites may also require complete blood transfusions, especially after 24 to 48 hours without antivenom.
The boomslang is a timid snake, and bites generally occur only when people attempt to handle, catch, or kill the animal. When confronted and cornered, it inflates its neck and assumes an "S"-shaped striking pose.
A male boomslang
Boomslang in Western Cape, South Africa
Juvenile Common Boomslang (Dispholidus typus ssp. typus)
Brown female Common Boomslang (Dispholidus typus ssp. typus)
The boomslang (/ˈboʊmslɑːŋ/, /ˈbɔːmsləŋ/, or /ˈbuːmslæŋ/; Dispholidus typus) is a large, highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae.
La boomslang (Dispholidus typus), también conocida como culebra arborícola de El Cabo, es una especie de serpiente aletinofidia de la familia Colubridae.[1] Su nombre significa «serpiente del árbol» en afrikáans y holandés.[2] Su tamaño es relativamente grande 1 a 1,50 m de longitud. Está ampliamente distribuida por África subsahariana,[3] y tiene diferentes fases de colores según las zonas. Los machos son más coloridos que las hembras y la característica común es que poseen el ojo más grande de todas las serpientes, que además es de un color verde brillante y muy llamativo en los ejemplares jóvenes.
Es una serpiente dócil, tímida y huye fácilmente pero cuando es provocada ataca mordiendo con fuerza, con toda la boca abierta, ya que los colmillos ponzoñosos están en la parte posterior del maxilar superior. Las mordeduras, generalmente, se producen sólo cuando las personas intentan manipular, atrapar, o matar a los animales.
Son ovíparas. Los huevos tienen un período de incubación relativamente largo. Las crías son grisáceas con puntos azules. La coloración de adulto la alcanzan luego de varios años.
Boomslangs son diurnas, principalmente arborícolas. Su dieta incluye camaleones y otros lagartos[3] arborícolas, ranas, y en ocasiones pequeños mamíferos, pájaros y huevos de nidos de pájaros,[3] todos los cuales los tragan enteros. Durante el tiempo frío hibernan durante períodos moderados, a menudo introduciéndose dentro de los nidos de pájaros tales como tejedores.
Muchos miembros de la familia Colubridae que se consideran venenosos son inofensivos para los seres humanos, porque tienen glándulas venenosas muy pequeñas, veneno relativamente débil, o un sistema ineficiente de inoculación de veneno. Sin embargo, la boomslang es una excepción en el hecho que tiene un veneno muy potente, el cual es entregado a través de sus grandes colmillos que se encuentran cerca de la parte posterior de la mandíbula.[3] El veneno de la boomslang es principalmente una hemotoxina que inhabilita el proceso de coagulación de sangre y la víctima puede morir como resultado de hemorragias internas y externas.[3][4] Otros signos y síntomas incluyen: dolor de cabeza, náusea, somnolencia y desórdenes mentales. Debido a que el veneno es lento para actuar, los síntomas pueden no manifestarse hasta muchas horas de producida la mordedura. Esto da tiempo para procurar el antiveneno, mientras que por otra parte esto mismo puede llevar a las víctimas a subestimar la seriedad de la mordedura. (Las serpientes de cualquier especie pueden fallar en ocasiones al inyectar el veneno cuando muerden y luego de unas pocas horas sin síntomas de envenenamiento la víctima puede creer caer en el error de suponer que la lesión no fue seria).
Una boomslang adulta tiene 4–8 mg de veneno. Y, 5 mg son suficientes para matar a una persona.[5]
La boomslang (Dispholidus typus), también conocida como culebra arborícola de El Cabo, es una especie de serpiente aletinofidia de la familia Colubridae. Su nombre significa «serpiente del árbol» en afrikáans y holandés. Su tamaño es relativamente grande 1 a 1,50 m de longitud. Está ampliamente distribuida por África subsahariana, y tiene diferentes fases de colores según las zonas. Los machos son más coloridos que las hembras y la característica común es que poseen el ojo más grande de todas las serpientes, que además es de un color verde brillante y muy llamativo en los ejemplares jóvenes.
Es una serpiente dócil, tímida y huye fácilmente pero cuando es provocada ataca mordiendo con fuerza, con toda la boca abierta, ya que los colmillos ponzoñosos están en la parte posterior del maxilar superior. Las mordeduras, generalmente, se producen sólo cuando las personas intentan manipular, atrapar, o matar a los animales.
See artikkel räägib liigist; perekonna kohta vaata artiklit Bumslang (perekond) Bumslang (Dispholidus typus) on maoliik.[1]
Bumslangil klassifitseeritakse roomajate andmebaasis järgmised alamliigid[2]:
Neid võib kohata Aafrikas - Sambias[3] (va Põhja-Aafrikas).
Pikka aega peeti neid mürgita madudeks.
Aastal 1957 hammustas bumslangi poeg ameerika herpetoloogi Karl Patterson Schmidti (1890 – 1957) ja hammustus võis tõenäoliselt ka tema surma põhjustada.
Käesoleval ajal on maod inimeste suhtes mürkmadudeks liigitatavad ja nende hammustus võib mürgistusseisundeid või koguni surma põhjustada.[4][5]
Selles artiklis on kasutatud prantsuskeelset artiklit fr:Dispholidus typus seisuga 03.02.2014.
Dispholidus typus Dispholidus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Dispholidus typus Dispholidus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Colubridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Dispholidus typus, unique[1] représentant du genre Dispholidus, est une espèce de serpent venimeux de la famille des Colubridae[2].
On considère qu'elle est étroitement apparentée aux genres Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis et Xyelodontophis, avec lesquels elle forme la tribu des Dispholidini.
Son nom vernaculaire français est Serpent des arbres ou Boomslang. Son nom signifie serpent arboricole en afrikaans et en néerlandais (boom signifiant arbre et slang serpent).
Cette espèce se rencontre[2] sur un large territoire couvrant tout ou partie de l'Afrique de l’Ouest, de l'Afrique de l'Est, de l'Afrique centrale et de l'Afrique australe.
Dispholidus typus mesure entre 100 et 160 cm à l'âge adulte mais peut, parfois, dépasser les 180 cm. Ses yeux sont très grands et ont une pupille ronde. Sa couleur est très variable, les mâles adultes sont vert clair avec des écailles bordées de noir ou de bleu, les femelles adultes sont brunes. Les juvéniles sont gris-bleu et ne prennent leur coloration adulte qu'après plusieurs années.
Dispholidus typus est ovipare. Les œufs ont une assez longue période d'incubation.
Dispholidus typus est un serpent diurne, principalement arboricole. Son régime alimentaire comprend des caméléons, des lézards arboricoles, des grenouilles et occasionnellement de petits mammifères, des oiseaux et des œufs qu'il avale entier. Pendant les périodes froides, il hiberne pour de courtes périodes, souvent enroulé à l'intérieur de nids fermés d'oiseaux comme ceux des tisserins.
Alors que la plupart des membres de la famille des Colubridae qui sont considérés comme venimeux sont pratiquement inoffensifs pour les humains, car ils ont de petites glandes à venin contenant relativement peu de venin ou que leur venin est inefficace chez l'humain, le Dispholidus typus dispose d'un venin très puissant qu'il inocule par l'intermédiaire de grands crocs situés à l'arrière de la mâchoire. Le venin de Dispholidus typus est essentiellement une hémotoxine. Celle-ci inhibe le processus de coagulation du sang et la victime meurt à la suite de saignements internes et externes. D'autres signes et symptômes sont les suivants : maux de tête, nausées, somnolence et troubles mentaux. Parce que le venin est lent à agir, les symptômes peuvent ne se manifester que plusieurs heures après la morsure. Cela donne le temps de se procurer le sérum mais cela peut conduire les victimes à sous-estimer la gravité de la morsure. La victime peut aussi se sentir mieux quelques heures après et immédiatement avant le décès va perdre du sang par tous les orifices de son corps.
Adulte, Dispholidus typus a de 4 à 8 mg de venin. Cinq milligrammes suffisent à tuer un homme.
En 1957, l'herpétologiste Karl Schmidt mordu par un Dispholidus typus et convaincu que la dose de venin qu'il avait reçue n'était pas mortelle ne prit pas de sérum antivenin et fit un compte-rendu des effets du venin, jusqu'à sa mort 24 heures après la morsure[3]. D.S. Chapman affirme que, entre 1919 et 1962, il y a eu huit morsures graves de Dispholidus typus, dont deux ont été mortelles. La société South African Vaccine Producers[4] (l'ancien Institut sud-africain de recherche médicale) fabrique un sérum monovalent contre les morsures de Dispholidus typus.
Dispholidus typus est un serpent craintif qui ne mord généralement que lorsqu'on tente de le manipuler, le capturer ou le tuer.
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (14 février 2014)[5] :
Dispholidus typus, unique représentant du genre Dispholidus, est une espèce de serpent venimeux de la famille des Colubridae.
On considère qu'elle est étroitement apparentée aux genres Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis et Xyelodontophis, avec lesquels elle forme la tribu des Dispholidini.
Son nom vernaculaire français est Serpent des arbres ou Boomslang. Son nom signifie serpent arboricole en afrikaans et en néerlandais (boom signifiant arbre et slang serpent).
Boomslang (dari Bahasa Belanda, Boom atau Baum="Pohon" dan Slang="Ular") atau benama latin Dispholidus typus adalah sejenis ular pohon berbisa dari suku Colubridae. Ular ini terdapat di Afrika.[2]
Panjang tubuh boomslang antara 1 hingga 1.6 meter, pernah juga ditemukan spesimen dengan panjang 1.83 meter. Sedangkan berat badannya antara 0.18 hingga 0.51 kilogram. Matanya berwarna hitam pekat dan berukuran agak besar. Pada ular jantan, tubuhnya berwarna hijau muda atau hijau kekuningan, dengan garis-luar (outline) berwarna biru langit (sian). Sedangkan pada ular betina, warna tubuhnya kecokelatan.[3][4]
Habitat utama boomslang adalah hutan terbuka, pinggiran hutan, dan padang rumput yang memiliki pepohonan (stepa). Ular ini aktif pada siang hari dan biasanya berkelana di atas pohon. Mangsa utamanya adalah burung, kadal, bunglon, mamalia kecil di pohon, dan telur burung. Ular ini berkembang biak dengan cara bertelur (ovipar), jumlah telur yang dihasilkan mencapai 30 butir.
Ular ini tersebar luas di wilayah Afrika bagian timur, tengah, dan barat, di sepanjang garis Khatulistiwa. Membentang dari Somalia, Ethiopia bagian selatan, Sudan, bagian selatan, Kenya, Tanzania bagian tengah dan utara, Uganda, Republik Demokrasi Kongo, Republik Kongo, Angola bagian utara, Republik Afrika Tengah, Gabon, Guinea Ekuator, Kamerun, hingga Guinea dan Siera Leone di sebelah barat.
Ular ini memiliki kekerabatan dengan ular-ular pohon lainnya di Afrika, diantaranya adalah Thelotornis sp. (Ular ranting Afrika), Thrasops sp., Rhamnophis sp., dan Xyelodontophis sp.. Karena kekerabatan tersebut, boomslang dan kelompok ular-ular tersebut dikelompokkan kedalam satu rumpun, yakni Dispholidini.[5]
Tidak seperti ular kolubrid pada umumnya, ular ini termasuk ular yang memiliki bisa kuat dan gigitannya dapat membunuh manusia.[6][7]
Boomslang (dari Bahasa Belanda, Boom atau Baum="Pohon" dan Slang="Ular") atau benama latin Dispholidus typus adalah sejenis ular pohon berbisa dari suku Colubridae. Ular ini terdapat di Afrika.
Il boomslang[1] (nome afrikaans, pron. /'bo:mslɑŋ/; nome scientifico Dispholidus typus) è un grande serpente velenoso appartenente alla famiglia dei Colubridi, che vive nell'Africa subsahariana. È l'unica specie del genere Dispholidus[2]. Il suo nome, in afrikaans, significa "serpe degli alberi". È il più velenoso fra i Colubridi, e il suo morso può essere fatale anche per l'uomo.
Gli adulti di questa specie possono superare il metro e ottanta di lunghezza, anche se di solito raggiungono il metro e trenta. La testa è corta, ben distinta dal corpo, con il muso tozzo, un po' ricurvo e dai lati leggermente concavi. Gli occhi, grandi e prominenti, hanno una pupilla tonda. Sulla mascella superiore questo serpente presenta una particolarità: oltre a sette-otto denti piccoli e pieni, sono infatti tre le zanne scanalate velenose, al di sotto della zona dell'occhio.
Essendo opistoglifo, il boomslang non possiede i tipici muscoli specializzati presenti nei Viperidi, adatti a spremere la ghiandola del veleno; di conseguenza, la quantità di veleno immessa nella preda è minima. Nonostante ciò, il suo morso può uccidere in meno di un'ora una scimmia o un cane, ed è estremamente pericoloso anche per l'uomo.
Il tronco è slanciato, compresso lateralmente e coperto di squame carenate e strette. Le femmine di solito sono di colore marrone, mentre i maschi variano dal nero al verde intenso.
Il boomslang è un serpente principalmente diurno e arboricolo, che si sposta molto velocemente fra gli alberi. Di norma questo serpente non è aggressivo e cerca di fuggire; se disturbato, però, si irrita e attua un comportamento minaccioso: gonfia il collo e la parte anteriore del corpo, fissando dritto verso il nemico. L'aspetto del boomslang appare raddoppiato in diametro, e le squame che coprono la pelle dilatata sono separate tra loro nettamente. A questa prima fase di minaccia, segue lo scatto fulmineo che termina in un morso profondo e molto pericoloso.
Durante la stagione più fredda, il boomslang si iberna per periodi moderati, spesso nascondendosi in nidi chiusi di uccelli.
La sua dieta consiste in lucertole arboricole (come i camaleonti), rane e occasionalmente piccoli mammiferi, uccelli e uova. Tutte le prede vengono fermate con un morso profondo; attraverso le ferite procurate entra in circolo il veleno che uccide quasi istantaneamente la piccola preda, che poi viene inghiottita intera.
Il boomslang è oviparo, e le uova (10-14 a covata e di circa quattro centimetri per due) hanno un periodo di incubazione piuttosto lungo. I nidiacei sono grigiastri, con screziature blu. Solo dopo alcuni anni raggiungono la colorazione tipica degli adulti.
La potenza del veleno del boomslang è molto maggiore di quella di gran parte degli Elapidi o dei Viperidi, ma la minor specializzazione dell'apparato velenifero implica che questo serpente riesca a inoculare nella vittima solo una piccola parte della sua riserva di veleno. In sostanza, il boomslang è una notevole eccezione all'interno della famiglia dei Colubridi, di norma ritenuti inoffensivi per l'uomo a causa della debolezza del loro veleno, dell'inefficienza del loro apparato o delle ghiandole piccole.
Le grandi zanne del boomslang rilasciano quella che è principalmente un'emotossina. Essa impedisce al sangue di coagularsi e la vittima può morire a causa di emorragie interne ed esterne. Altri sintomi di questo terribile veleno includono mal di testa, mancanza di sonno e disordini mentali. A causa del fatto che questo veleno ha un agire lento, i sintomi possono manifestarsi dopo ore di distanza dal morso. Da una parte, questo fatto lascia il tempo per procurarsi il siero antiveleno, ma dall'altra può condurre le vittime a sottovalutare la gravità del morso. Un boomslang adulto possiede dai 4 agli 8 milligrammi di veleno, e si stima che la dose sufficiente per uccidere un uomo sia di 5 milligrammi.
Nel 1957, il ben noto erpetologo Karl Patterson Schmidt morì dopo essere stato morso da un boomslang. D.S. Chapman stabilì che tra il 1919 e il 1962 vi furono otto casi accertati di seri avvelenamenti da boomslang ai danni di uomini, due dei quali si rivelarono fatali. Il South African Vaccine Producers (ex South African Institute of Medical Research) produce un antiveleno monovalente per l'uso in caso di avvelenamenti da boomslang.
Il boomslang è un serpente timido, e di solito morde solo quando la gente tenta di maneggiarlo, catturarlo o ucciderlo. I dati sopra riportati, in ogni caso, suggeriscono che è improbabile che i boomslang possano essere considerati una reale fonte di morti umane in tutta la loro area di distribuzione.
Il boomslang (nome afrikaans, pron. /'bo:mslɑŋ/; nome scientifico Dispholidus typus) è un grande serpente velenoso appartenente alla famiglia dei Colubridi, che vive nell'Africa subsahariana. È l'unica specie del genere Dispholidus. Il suo nome, in afrikaans, significa "serpe degli alberi". È il più velenoso fra i Colubridi, e il suo morso può essere fatale anche per l'uomo.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) ialah sejenis ular berbisa yang besar dalam keluarga Colubridae.[2]
Ia merupakan satu-satunya spesies dalam genusnya, namun sesetengah spesie dan subspesies pernah diperikan dahulu. Namanya bererti "ular pokok" dalam bahasa Afrikaans dan Belanda[3].
Boomslang di habitat biasa
Boomslang jantan
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) ialah sejenis ular berbisa yang besar dalam keluarga Colubridae.
Ia merupakan satu-satunya spesies dalam genusnya, namun sesetengah spesie dan subspesies pernah diperikan dahulu. Namanya bererti "ular pokok" dalam bahasa Afrikaans dan Belanda.
봄슬랑(아프리칸스어: boomslang [ˈbuəmslaŋ])은 사하라 이남 아프리카에만 사는 독사다. 뱀과 뱀아과 봄슬랑속의 유일종이다.[1]
성체 봄슬랑의 평균 신장은 100-160 센티미터다. 183 센티미터를 넘는 개체도 발견된 바 있다. 눈이 매우 크고, 머리는 달걀꼴이다. 색상은 매우 다양하다. 수컷은 연녹색 비늘에 비늘 가장자리는 검거나 푸른 색이 보통이나, 암컷은 갈색일 수도 있다.[2] 체중은 175-510 그램으로, 평균 체중은 299.4 그램이다.[3]
이 종은 머리와 목이 분명히 구분되고, 안각돌출선이 두드러진다. 눈이 매우 크고 땡그랗다. 봄슬랑은 완벽한 시력을 갖추고 있으며, 물체를 더 잘 보기 위해 머리를 좌우로 흔드는 모습이 자주 관찰된다. 위턱 치열은 앞쪽에 작은 앞니 일고여덟 개가 있고, 그보다 안쪽, 두 눈 아래 위치에 구부러진 독니가 있다. 아래턱도 거의 같다. 몸통은 살짝 편평하다. 배면 비늘은 매우 좁고 사선으로 배치된 튼튼한 모비늘로, 19열 또는 21열이다. 꼬리는 길고, 복면 비늘은 164-201개다. 항문판은 나뉘어 있고, 꼬리아래비늘은 91-131개다.[4]
현재는 봄슬랑 1종이 봄슬랑속의 유일종이지만, 예전에는 많은 종이 이 속에 딸려 있었다. "봄슬랑"이라는 이름은 아프리칸스어로 "나무뱀"이라는 뜻이다.[5] "봄"이 "나무"이고, "슬랑"이 "뱀"이다. 봄슬랑속은 잔가지뱀속(Thelotornis), 눈선명나무뱀속(Thrasops), 칼이빨나무뱀속(Rhamnophis), 칼이빨덩궁뱀속(Xyelodontophis)과 근연관계에 있다고 여겨지며, 이 속들과 함께 봄슬랑족(Dispholidini)을 이룬다.[6]
현재 봄슬랑 종에는 승명아종을 포함해서 3개 아종이 인정된다.[7]
봄슬랑은 난생이며, 암컷은 나무둥치의 구멍이나 썩어가는 통나무 속에 한 번에 30개 이하의 알을 낳는다. 알은 부화하기까지 평균 3개월이 걸리며, 상대적으로 오래 걸리는 편이다. 수컷 새끼는 회색에 파란 반점이 있고, 암컷 새끼는 창백한 갈색이다. 몇 년에 걸쳐 새끼는 성체와 같은 색상으로 변해간다. 막 부화한 새끼의 크기는 약 20 센티미터이며 사람에게 무해하다. 그러나 신장이 45 센티미터에 이르고 허리둘레가 어른 새끼손가락만큼 굵어지면 치명적인 독을 갖추게 된다.
봄슬랑은 주행성이며, 거의 전적으로 교목성 수상생활을 한다. 겁이 많아서 먹이보다 큰 것을 보면 무엇이건 도망간다. 먹이로는 카멜레온을 비롯한 교목성 도마뱀,[1] 개구리, 그리고 드물게 소형 포유류나 조류를 먹으며, 새 둥지에서 알을 먹기도 한다.[1] 모든 먹이는 통째로 삼킨다. 봄슬랑은 다른 뱀도 먹을 수 있으며, 동종포식도 한다.[8] 날씨가 선선해지면 휴면상태에 들어가는데, 보통 베짜는새의 둥지 속에 들어가 또아리를 틀고 잠든다.
뱀과의 독사들은 대개 독선과 송곳니가 작아서 사람에게 무해하다. 하지만 봄슬랑은 매우 강한 독을 가지고 있으며, 독니 역시 큰 예외사례에 속한다.[1] 봄슬랑은 물 때 입을 170도까지 벌릴 수 있다.[9] 봄슬랑의 사독은 출혈독이다. 물리면 혈액응고가 되지 않아 내출혈과 외출혈을 일으키며 죽게 된다. 근육과 뇌에 내출혈을 일으키는 것이 관찰된 바 있다.[1][10] 그 외에도 두통, 욕지기, 졸음, 정신장애를 일으킨다.
봄슬랑의 독은 천천히 듣기 때문에, 처음 물리고 나서 증상이 발현할 때까지 몇 시간이 걸릴 수 있다. 이것은 항독소 처치를 받기까지 충분한 시간이 주어진다는 뜻이기도 하지만, 피해자가 무독성이나 약독성 뱀에게 물린 줄 착각하고 사태의 심각성을 과소평가하게 만들 수도 있다. 또한 사독은 모든 뱀마다 경로생리적 기작이 다르게 작동하기 때문에, 환자마다 임상적으로 증상이 다르게 나타날 수 있다.[11]
성체 봄슬랑은 1.6-8 밀리그램의 독을 품고 있다.[12] 생쥐에게 정맥주사햇을 때의 반수치사량은 0.1 mg이다.[13] 0.071 mg도 보고된 바 있다.[14]
1957년 미국의 양서파충류학자 칼 패터슨 슈미트가 어린 봄슬랑에게 물려 죽었는데, 그는 자신을 희생해 봄슬랑 사독의 치사량을 알아낼 수 있으리라 생각하고,[15][16] 죽기 직전까지 자기가 경험하는 증상을 기록했다.[17][18] D. S. 채프먼은 1919년에서 1962년 사이에 8건의 봄슬랑 피해를 보고했는데, 그 중 2건이 사망에 이르렀다.[19]
봄슬랑의 사독항독소는 1940년대에 개발되었다. 남아프리카 국민보건연구원(NHLS) 산하 백신생산국(SAVP)에서 봄슬랑 물림에 처치하기 위한 1가항독소를 생산하고 있다.[20] 또한 항독소 처치 없이 24-48시간이 지났을 경우 수혈도 필요하다.
봄슬랑은 소심한 종이기 때문에, 대개 물림사고는 사람이 봄슬랑을 건드리거나 잡거나 죽이려 할 때 발생한다. 궁지에 몰린 봄슬랑은 물기 전에 목을 부풀리고 S자꼴 형태를 취하고 공격태세를 갖춘다. 이와 같은 데이터들은 봄슬랑이 그 서식지에서 인간의 주요 사망원인이 되지는 않는다는 결론을 시사한다.
봄슬랑(아프리칸스어: boomslang [ˈbuəmslaŋ])은 사하라 이남 아프리카에만 사는 독사다. 뱀과 뱀아과 봄슬랑속의 유일종이다.
성체 봄슬랑의 평균 신장은 100-160 센티미터다. 183 센티미터를 넘는 개체도 발견된 바 있다. 눈이 매우 크고, 머리는 달걀꼴이다. 색상은 매우 다양하다. 수컷은 연녹색 비늘에 비늘 가장자리는 검거나 푸른 색이 보통이나, 암컷은 갈색일 수도 있다. 체중은 175-510 그램으로, 평균 체중은 299.4 그램이다.
이 종은 머리와 목이 분명히 구분되고, 안각돌출선이 두드러진다. 눈이 매우 크고 땡그랗다. 봄슬랑은 완벽한 시력을 갖추고 있으며, 물체를 더 잘 보기 위해 머리를 좌우로 흔드는 모습이 자주 관찰된다. 위턱 치열은 앞쪽에 작은 앞니 일고여덟 개가 있고, 그보다 안쪽, 두 눈 아래 위치에 구부러진 독니가 있다. 아래턱도 거의 같다. 몸통은 살짝 편평하다. 배면 비늘은 매우 좁고 사선으로 배치된 튼튼한 모비늘로, 19열 또는 21열이다. 꼬리는 길고, 복면 비늘은 164-201개다. 항문판은 나뉘어 있고, 꼬리아래비늘은 91-131개다.
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