The extremely poisonous but quiet, large-eyed, brown, green, or black-blue boomslang snake is a member of the Colubridae family and is a native of sub-Saharan Africa. Boomslangs require competent keepers with prior expertise with dangerous reptiles because they are nocturnal, carnivorous, and deadly animals. Although fascinating and beautiful, the boomslang is not a companionable animal.
The Boomslang Snake, in brief
| Common Name | Boomslang snake |
| Scientific Name | Dispholidus typus |
| Natural Habitat | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Adult Size | 3–6 feet |
| Average Lifespan | 8 years |
| Diet | Small mammals include mice, birds, eggs, reptiles, and various snakes. |
| Housing | Leave them in a natural environment or in a large cage with room for climbing. |
| Experience Level | Advanced |
Origin
The boomslang snake (Dispholidus typus) is native to sub-Saharan Africa. The boomslang is a typical outdoor snake, and you might frequently find them hunting on the ground and in trees. The natural habitat of the boomslang includes grasslands, savannas, and other areas with lots of shrubs and trees for the snake to climb.
Expression and behavior
Boomslangs are rare, venomous, rear-fanged snakes that can be found in green and brown, among other colors. The males are frequently green, blue-green, or brown-black, while the females are a duller shade of brown. Young boomslang snakes require a few years to fully develop their colors. Boomslang snakes have rough-keeled scales.
The enormous eyes and egg-shaped cranium of the boomslang are distinguishing features. Boomslang snakes have forked tongues that help them sense chemical scents. However, their sense of smell is far poorer than their vision. Boomslang snakes are quite thin and can grow no more than 6 feet.
Dimensions and Time
The life span of the boomslang snake is influenced by a number of factors. They have a known lifespan of eight years in the wild, but if well cared for and housed in a captive environment where they are protected from predators, they could live an additional year or two.
Boomslang snakes can grow up to six feet in length. Extra-large boomslangs that are about 6 feet in length or longer are extremely rare. When the boomslang snake initially hatches, it is almost 8 inches long.
Temperament
Boomslang snakes are shy, non-aggressive reptiles that favor solitude and avoid conflict. The snake will attack if its personal space is violated, so don’t mistake its placid demeanor for indifference. However, they are extremely lethal and deadly to people. Its venom is incredibly potent, causing the victim to bleed internally and externally.
Allow the boomslang a lot of breathing room. The snake prefers to live alone because it doesn’t require or enjoy company. If a person or another animal comes too close, the boomslang will defend itself. If it is not left alone, it will inflate its head to signal that it is about to strike. The snake should not be provoked, but if you’re lucky enough to see it open its mouth, you’ll be astounded because it can open up to 170 degrees.
The boomslang spends more time in trees than it does on the ground.
Snake housing boomslang
Boomslang snakes belong in the wild and should never be kept in captivity. If you dare, construct the most habitat-like environment possible for this snake to live in while in captivity and maintain it in a closed enclosure at all times.
A climate comparable to that of its native sub-Sahara is preferred by the boomslang. The boomslang snake’s enclosure should be located in an area with only a moderate amount of humidity and mild temperatures. This snake prefers a temperature range of 65 to 85 °F.
Boomslangs like to hide, so their enclosure should have plenty of greenery. Being cautious creatures, these snakes detest being in the open. The boomslang’s enclosure needs to be big and equipped with trees and climbing structures to replicate its native habitat and encourage relaxation.
Internal Size
Boomslang snakes require a reptile terrarium or vivarium that measures 6 to 12 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and 5 feet long. Climbing arboreal snakes and boomslangs spend the majority of their time in bushes and trees.
To stop the boomslang snake from escaping, the enclosure must always be closed. If at any time the snake needs to be relocated, use a trap box as a temporary residence. To ensure the snake’s privacy, place the boomslang’s enclosure away from busy intersections and doorways.
Lighting
The boomslang snake is up all day and sleeps at night. Boomslangs enjoy sunbathing and are diurnal, which means they sleep at night and are more active during the day. However, nothing is known about their lighting requirements.
In general, snakes require a heat source because they are unable to generate their own heat. Under-cage heating pads are regularly used to warm the cages for snakes. Both of these lighting alternatives are advantageous additions to a boomslang’s enclosure, as is a heat lamp used as a basking place. You may mimic the boomslang’s natural setting and give it a homey feeling by using the proper lighting. Make sure the temperature of the light stays within the range that is suitable for this snake.
Humidity and Thermodynamics
Proper warmth and lighting are crucial for snake care. The boomslang snake needs a warm environment with daytime highs of 75–85°F and nighttime lows of 65–68°F.
By balancing afternoon and nighttime temperatures and periodically misting the enclosure, you may keep the boomslang snake’s captivity dry and similar to its natural habitat.
Material and adornment
The boomslang snake prefers to climb up various things, like shrubs and trees. The snake rarely lies down because doing so stresses it out, although it will occasionally descend to the ground. In the trees, which are its native habitat and offer areas for concealment and solitary movement, it feels much more at home.
Little is known about the optimal habitat for boomslang snakes because they shouldn’t be kept as pets, but if they are unable to survive in the wild, they should be kept in an environment that closely matches their natural habitat.
Add soil, newspaper, or other similar things to the boomslang’s enclosure. After that, there will be enough branches and greenery for the snake to sleep in.
Read more: Rough Green Snake Care Guide: Habitat, Behavior & Diet
Cleaning
Only professionals with specific knowledge should clean the boomslang’s enclosure because this snake is poisonous. Always wear gloves, and remove the snake from its enclosure no less than once every month. You should wait until you’ve taken these precautions before cleaning the boomslang’s cage.
These cleaning guidelines explain how to thoroughly clean the boomslang enclosure. You can spot lean more regularly to keep the cage clean if you first remove the snake.
Use a trap box to capture the boomslang snake and remove it before cleaning the enclosure. Before cleaning the snake’s enclosure, it must always be safely kept somewhere else. Never attempt to clean a cage that contains a snake, since it could be very dangerous.
When the snake has exited the enclosure, the process is simple. Replace the substrate materials if necessary after removing them. With hot water and soap, the enclosure’s walls and floor should be scrubbed clean. Disinfection can also be accomplished with bleach. Wear gloves when Handling the snake to prevent bites and to prevent leaking potential prey odors into the enclosure. While cleaning a dangerous snake cage, wear gloves made especially for handling deadly snakes, and educate yourself as much as you can on personal safety.
Care for Boomslang Snakes
The boomslang snake is dangerous and should not be kept as a pet. Only qualified professionals should handle it when it is absolutely required; otherwise, it is better left in the wild. It has a high level of difficulty and is quite poisonous.
Water and Food
Boomslang snakes consume a wide range of creatures, such as lizards, frogs, eggs, birds, and small mammals. Boomslangs consume their victims whole, as well as other snakes and occasionally one another. Feed the adult boomslang every week or, when it’s young, every few days. Smaller reptiles are consumed more by juvenile boomslang snakes than by adults.
Boomslangs mostly hunt from trees, although they occasionally hunt on the ground as well. They can consume a wide range of prey.
Water should be left in a basin in the boomslang snake’s enclosure so that it can drink from it. Although not as effective as a water dish, a water mister can be used to wet the surrounding vegetation so that the snake can drink water that way.
Handling
The boomslang snake is a dangerous creature. It is advised to leave this snake alone because its poison can be fatal to people. If you come across a boomslang in the wild for any reason, keep your distance and avoid touching it. If the snake feels threatened, it will probably bite.
Typical Health Problems
The illnesses or health problems that boomslang snakes may have are not well understood. Other boomslangs and other snake species, falcons, and ospreys, as well as other boomslangs and other snake species Even though this snake poses a threat, there are still some predators to be aware of.
Hibernation
The boomslang snake will brumate, or go into hibernation, when it is chilly outside. Boomslang snakes accomplish this by spending some time curled up in a nest. Since they hibernate to stay warm, they don’t migrate.
Breeding
Boomslangs may have multiple breeding partners throughout the course of their lifetime rather than just one. Before mating, males may fight over the female boomslangs. Boomslang snakes often breed in December and January and lay eggs. The female snake lays her eggs about 60 days after the male and female mate. She will typically lay between 8 and 30 eggs at once, carefully selecting a wet location to do so, such as vegetation or occasionally a tree hollow. 65 to 100 days later, the eggs hatch.
Boomslang snakes lay their eggs in the spring or at the start of the summer. They take two to three years to reach their maximum size, and by that time, all of their hues will have fully developed.
Boomslang snakes live independently, beginning at a young age. At birth, they are self-sufficient. To grow healthily after birth, they must eat every couple of days.
The adult female snake does not stay around to take care of the eggs since she lacks parental instincts. The infants will emerge from their protective shells on their own. Within 10 days of birth, boomslang snakes begin to shed their skin for the first time.
Like their parents, juvenile boomslang snakes are venomous, and their bite has the potential to be fatal.
How to Select and Purchase a Boomslang Snake
Boomslang snakes are poisonous and can only be owned with a permit or illegally in some places due to their venomous nature. We also advise against gathering your own wild boomslang. You should conduct your own study because there are several rules pertaining to possessing poisonous snakes. Before investing time or money in owning a poisonous snake, learn everything there is to know about the regulations in your state, county, and nation.
Owning a poisonous snake is a serious commitment that should not be underestimated. Knowing and adhering to all standards and safety precautions is crucial, particularly those for securing the enclosure and carefully cleaning the snake’s enclosure.
We do not advise having a boomslang snake because of its lethal venom. These creatures are not pets; rather, they are wild creatures that thrive when left unattended in their native habitat. Boomslangs should be revered and admired from a distance, much like other dangerous snakes.
Interesting creatures are boomslangs. They are distinctive snakes because of their keen eyesight, wide range of colors, and lack of nocturnal habits. For educational purposes, it is important to understand this adaptable animal. Understand them and the risks they present to both people and many other species.
