Boomslang | SANBI Shops, venues & services Boomslang The genus Dispholidus has only one species (D. typus). The name ‘boomslang’ is Afrikaans for ‘tree snake’. The snake is usually found in trees and shrubs, hence the name boomslang. The Afrikaans name has also been adopted as the official English name of this snake. Description A boomslang is a slender snake with large eyes on a large blunt head that is distinct from the neck. The snake can grow to up to 2 meters long, but is on average about 1 to 1.6 m in length. The large eyes of the snake are characteristic of the species. Males have a variety of colour shades from solid bright green to rust-red or a combination of black and yellow. Females have a dull olive-brown or grey colour. Juveniles are quite spectacular with bright emerald eyes, white throat and cryptic, twig-coloured bodies. Getting around The boomslang use their muscles and scales to move between trees, shrubs and the ground. Distribution The boomslang is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

It is found in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and north through sub-Sahara Africa. In South Africa, this snake can be found in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, northern Gauteng, North West and adjacent parts of eastern Free State and Northern Cape. Habitat This snake is usually found in trees and shrubs in the Karoo shrub, arid savanna, moist savannah, lowland forest, grassland and fynbos vegetation types. The only time the snake is found on the ground is when it is basking or searching for food. It may also take refuge underground when the weather is harsh. Food The boomslang is diurnal (active during the day). The snake feeds on birds, nestlings, frogs, lizards and occasionally on small mammals. SEX and LIFE CYCLES Sex During breeding season the female will leave a scent trail for males. Males will engage is sparring matches with other males and the winner will receive the right to mate with prospective females within the area. The loser will slither off in search of other potential breeding grounds.

The victorious male will follow the scent trail to the female and once he reaches her, he will inspect her. Once the male is satisfied, he will twist his tail beneath hers and copulation takes place. The boomslang is oviparous, meaning that it lays eggs. The female’s gestation period is approximately 60 days. She can lay 8–27 soft-shelled eggs the size of a ping pong ball during late spring to mid-summer. To prevent the eggs from drying out, she will lay her eggs in a damp location. This location may be a tree hollow or down a rodent burrow. The eggs will remain in the damp location for about 65 to 100 days before hatching. The babies are about 20 cm long when they hatch and they will shed their skin for the first time within 10 days of hatching. Don’t let the babies’ pretty faces fool you; they are born equipped with fangs that can deliver lethal doses of venom. THE BIG PICTURE Friends and Foes Some people might think that the boomslang doesn’t have any natural enemies because it a predator. Well contrary to this notion, the snake is prey to predator birds and other snakes.

Some small birds such as the bulbuls may also mob the snake if they feel threatened by it. Smart Strategies The varied body colouration of the snakes enables it to use the cover of trees and shrubs to stalk prey without being detected. When food is detected, the snake will freeze, move its head from side-to-side and then swiftly attacks the prey. By freezing and moving the head from side to side, the snake mimics vegetation branches that are moved from side-to-side by wind, lulling the potential prey into ignoring the snake. The boomslang’s big eyes enable it to hunt during the day. When provoked or threatened, the boomslang will inflate its neck to twice its size to appear larger and expose the bright skin between the scales. If the threat still persists, then the snake will not hesitate to strike. The snake is equipped with back-fangs that inject deadly venom. The snake’s deadly bite is used for killing prey and protecting itself against threats. The boomslang’s venom is haemotoxic, which means that it affects the blood-clotting function of the victim, causing internal and external bleeding.

The boomslang is equipped with a fork-tip tongue, which is used to collect particles in the air and deposit them on a special organ called the ‘Organ of Jacobson’, found in the mouth. This special vomeronasal organ detects pheromones and other chemical signals, and is used to determine what is present within the snake’s immediate environment. Poorer world without me The snake is a biological controller. It controls the population of birds, frogs, lizards and small mammals. People and I The boomslang is shy and very seldom bites; however, it can deliver a lethal bite if threatened. People might think that the fact that this snake is back-fanged means that it is unlikely to bite someone. Well this is untrue! This snake is able to open its mouth as wide as 170 degrees making it easy for it to bite its victim with the back-fangs. Most people who have been bitten by this snake are snake handlers and park attendants. The venom is so potent that even a scratch could cause serious symptoms. The snake’s haemotoxic venom is slow-acting and may take 24–48 hours to produce serious symptoms.

Symptoms include internal and external bleeding, headaches, nausea, sleepiness and mental disorders. Here are a few first-aid procedures to follow if someone is bitten by a boomslang: (1) Immobilise the victim. The victim must lie down and keep as quite as possible. (2) Apply a pressure bandage immediately and immobilise the limb with a splint to reduce the spread of venom. (3) Loosen the bandage if there is severe swelling but do not remove the bandage. (4) Take the victim to the nearest hospital. Anti-venom is available at the South African Vaccine Producer (formerly South African Institution of Medical Research). Some people believe that if you walk past a bush or beneath a tree in which a boomslang is present, the snake will bite you in the face or drop onto your head to bite you, and if you park your car with the windows open near such a bush or tree, the snake will take refuge in your vehicle. The first belief is purely derived from the fear that people have. However, the second situation has happened at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden; but luckily no one was harmed. In general snakes do not attack stationary objects and they never chase after humans.

Bird aviaries near human housing may attract the snake and bring it into contact with humans. Conservation status The conservation status of the boomslang in South Africa is Least Concern. Relatives Four subspecies (D. t. typus, D. t. viridis, D. t. kivuensis, D. t. punctatusI) were recognised, however, three of the subspecies where considered invalid. This genus is being revised. The boomslang is often confused with black and green mambas, rufous–beaked snakes, and harmless green snakes of the genus Philothamnus. References and further reading Marais, J. 1999. Snakes and snake bite in southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. Marais, J. 2014. Dispholidus typus In: Atlas and Red list of Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. ed Michael F. Bates, W. R. Branch, A. M. Bauer, M. Burger, J. Marais, G. J. Alexandre & M. S. de Villiers. Suricata 1.

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Pp. 414. Branch, B. 2001. A photographic guide to snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. Donovan, P. The boomslang snake of Africa, In: Reptile Magazine. Author Harold Porter National Botanical Garden (SANBI) October 2015 ADW: Dispholidus typus: INFORMATION References Geographic Range 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. ( Marais, 2004 ; Toit, 1980 ) Biogeographic Regions native Habitat 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. ( Marais, 2004 ; Palmer and Ainslie, 2005 ; Palmer and Ainslie, 2006 ) Habitat Regions 4921.26 ft Physical Description 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. ( Marais, 2004 ; Ricciuti, 2001 ; Toit, 1980 ) 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. ( Marais, 2004 ; Ricciuti, 2001 ; Toit, 1980 ) Other Physical Features 4.92 ft Development 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 Reproduction 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.

( Boycott and Morgan, 1990 ; Marais, 2004 ) 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.

( Boycott and Morgan, 1990 ; Marais, 2004 ) Key Reproductive Features 8 years Behavior Boomslangs are solitary reptiles that rarely communicate with, and will even prey upon, other members of their species. Boomslangs spend most of their day hunting in trees and shrubs, carefully gliding through tree branches until an ideal hiding place is found. Boomslangs strike without warning and are able to capture most of their prey without being seen. These diurnal, arboreal snakes spend most of the day camouflaged in tree branches waiting for prey and spend most of their time curled up in warm bird nests during the colder months while often hibernating for periods of time. Since boomslangs live in warmer climates and hibernate during cooler weather, there is no need for migration. ( Marais, 2004 ; Pope, 1958 ) Key Behaviors solitary Home Range Boomslangs spend most of their time off of the ground, in trees, and are primarily found in densely wooded grasslands with plenty of hiding places nearby. They do not tend to stray far from their tree. Territory size for boomslangs is unknown.

( Stuart and Stuart, 2009 ) Communication and Perception 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.

( Stuart and Stuart, 2009 ; Young, 2003 ) Communication Channels eggs Predation 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. ( Marais, 2004 ; Stuart and Stuart, 2009 ; Young, 2003 ) Anti-predator Adaptations diurnal raptors ( Accipitridae ) Ecosystem Roles 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 ).

( Marais, 2004 ; Stuart and Stuart, 2009 ; Young, 2003 ) Economic Importance for Humans: Positive 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 Economic Importance for Humans: Negative The highly potent venom of boomslangs can cause death in humans, but they typically only strike if handled. Negative Impacts uses sight to communicate References Akani, G., N. Ebere, L. Luiselli, E. Eniang. 2007. Community structure and ecology of snakes in fields of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) in the Niger Delta, southern Nigeria. African Journal of Ecology, 46: 500-506. Boycott, R., D. Morgan. 1990. Observations on reproduction in southern African Boomslang. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa, 38/1: 51-52. Braack, H. 1981. Lower vertebrates of the Bontebok National Park.

Koedoe, 24: 67-77. Gomperts, E., D. Demetriou. 1977. Laboratory studies and clinical features in a case of Boomslang envenomation. South African Medical journal, 51: 173-176. Graham, J., J. Blair. 1954. The pigments of snake skins. Biochemical Journal, 56/2: 286-287. Honegger, R. 2007. Notes on some amphibians and reptiles at Zurich Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook, 9/1: 24-28. Kochva, E., M. Wollberg. 1970. The salivary glands of Aparallactinae (Colubridae) and the venom glands of Elaps (Elapidae) in relation to the taxonomic status of this genus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 49/3: 217-224. Marais, J. 2004. Complete Guide to Snakes of Southern Africa.

Cape Town: Struik Publishers. McAllister, C., C. Bursey, P. Freed. 2010. Nematode parasites of some reptiles (Sauria: Testudines: Ophidia) from the northern and western cape provinces, South Africa. Journal of Parasitology, 96/5: 1021-1026. Mebs, D. 2002. Venomous and Poisonous Animals: A Handbook for Biologists, Toxicologists and Toxinologists, Physicians and Pharmacists. Boca Raton, FL: GmbH Scientific Publishers. Menez, A. 2003. The Subtle Beast: Snakes, From Myth to Medicine (Science Spectra). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. Nicolson, I., P. Ashby, N. Johnson, J. Versey, L. Slater. 1974. Boomslang bite with haemorrhage and activation of complement by the alternate pathway. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 16/2: 295-300. Palmer, A., A. Ainslie. 2005.

Grasslands of South America. Pp. 77-116 in J Suttie, S Reynolds, C Batello, eds. Grasslands of the World. Rome, Italy: Publishing Management Service. Accessed October 22, 2011 at ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/y8344e/y8344e00.pdf . Palmer, A., A. Ainslie. 2006. "South Africa" (On-line). Accessed October 22, 2011 at . Pope, C. 1958. Fatal bite of captive African rear-fanged snake (Dispholidus). Copeia, 4: 280-282. Ricciuti, E. 2001. The Snake Almanac. New York: The Lyons Press. Spottiswoode, C. 2009. Fine-scale life-history variation in sociable weavers in relation to colony size. Journal of Animal Ecology, 78: 504-512. Stuart, C., M. Stuart. 2009.

Dangerous Creatures of Africa. Cape Town 8000, South Africa: Struik Nature. Toit, D. 1980. Boomslang Bite: A case report and a review of diagnosis and management. South African Medical journal, 57: 507-510. Young, B. 2003. Snake bioacoustics: toward a richer understanding of the behavioral ecology of snakes. Quarterly Review of Biology, 78/3: 302-325. Deadly Boomslang Snake Venom Makes You Bleed From All Of Your Orifices Until You Die | IFLScience Deadly Boomslang Snake Venom Makes You Bleed From All Of Your Orifices Until You Die 281467 Plants and Animals gundy, 'Pondoro / South Africa / 2014' Flickr. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Let me introduce to you the snake that reinforces the phrase “Never trust a pretty face”- the boomslang snake. Adding to the repertoire of s#!t scary snakes, Dispholidus typhus is a swift, agile creature whose venom certain packs a punch.

Thankfully, it’s shy, non-aggressive and difficult to track down in its home of sub-Saharan Africa, but that hasn’t stopped it from rightfully earning a fearsome reputation. Boomslangs spend most of their time chilling out in trees in a variety of environments, from coastal thickets to savannahs. These snakes exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning that the males and females display obvious morphological differences. The females are typically brown, whereas the males can display a variety of bright colors, from greens and yellows to pink-ish reds. A characteristic feature of these snakes is their strikingly large eyes that take up a large proportion of their heads. Youngsters are particularly beautiful because their eyes are an iridescent green, but don’t let these puppy dog eyes fool you. This snake will mess you up. Image credit: William Warby, via Wikimedia Commons . For many years, it was believed that this species was harmless, but world-renowned herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt learned the hard way that this snake is, in fact, badass. Back in 1957 , whilst examining a young boomslang, Schmidt was bitten on the thumb.

Given that nobody knew these snakes were deadly, Schmidt thought nothing of it and carried on as normal. In just one day, he died of respiratory arrest and cerebral hemorrhage; an event that quickly spurred researchers to examine this snake’s venom, which unsurprisingly turned out to be highly toxic. Boomslangs are rear-fanged , meaning that they’re equipped with large teeth at the back of their mouths. Consequently, to inject their prey with venom, the snakes have to open their mouths very wide, around 170 degrees. What this snake’s venom does to you would not be out of place in a horror movie. It’s hemotoxic , meaning that it destroys red blood cells, disrupts the clotting process and causes tissue and organ degeneration. What this unfortunately means is that massive hemorrhage ensues, causing the victim to bleed from the gums , nose and other orifices. Sometimes, the body of the victim will turn blue because of the widespread internal bleeding. Adding insult to injury, the process can be extremely slow, sometimes taking 5 days for the victim to die of internal bleeding. Thankfully, there is an antivenom, so if you’re bitten by one of these guys- don’t hang about. Happy nightmares.

[Via reptilesmagazine.com , Running Ponies , and hat tip to Bec Crew at SciAm. [Header image "Pondoro / South Africa / 2014," by gundy, via Flickr, used in accordance with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] 20 Most Poisonous and Viper Snakes In The World - Smoky Evening 20 Most Poisonous and Viper Snakes In The World 0 There is no doubt that snakes are such a type of creature which everyone scared of. If you ask me, I would say this is one of the most deadly reptiles in the world. However, there are numerous folks who love this creature and make them their pet. I really become wondered after listening to such stories. Here, in this blog, you will be able to learn the names of the most poisonous snakes in the world. Tiger Snake You can find this most poisonous snake in the world in Australian jungles. Yellow bands can be observed on their body. These snakes bite very accurately and the wounded would die very soon without treatment. Blue Krait The venom of this snake is sixteen times more powerful than the venom of cobra.

Moreover, no antivenin could be found for treating the wounded. That’s why, Blue Krait is considered as the deadliest snake in the world. Viper This sort of snake becomes very active after rain. The venom of vipers can kill a human being within a fraction of time. However, Saw Scaled Vipers are more powerful than these ones. This is considered as one of the most Poisonous Snakes In The World. Saw scaled Viper In the Middle East and Far East, you can find out these creatures. The most important aspect concerning their venom is that it will lead you towards death very slowly if you avoid taking proper treatment. Boomslang Africa is the native country of Boomslang. Their venom is very concentrated. Long fangs are possessed by them and for biting; they use to open their mouth in 180 degree angle. King Cobra In India and Burma, this particular species is being worshipped by many. Their length is 3-4 meters. It is also believed that the memories of these snakes are very sharp. Belcher’s Sea Snake This sea snake is well known as the most poisonous snake in the entire world.

However, these are docile in nature but can bit you if you try to harm them. More than thousands of people can be died with a bit of their venom. Eastern Brown Snake By nature, these snakes are very aggressive. You can find them in Australia and even in the cities of this country. The bites of these snakes can make you paralysed or dead. Desert Horned Viper The moving technique of these snakes is very unnatural. You can find them in North America and Middle East. Moreover, two horns are also possessed by them. Death Adder There is a legendary tale about his snake. Cleopatra used Death Adder for killing herself. New Guinea, Australia and various other regions are their native place. Philippine Cobra The venom of this species is very powerful. Philippine cobra would not bite you. They only spit on you and you will be died within 20-30 minutes. Moreover, they have wide neck collar. Russell’s Viper Asia is the native land of these snakes. They are mostly found in Southeast Asia and India. Most of the snakebite fatalities are caused by these snakes.

About 125-135 milligram venom is secreted by them in one bite. The Forest Cobra In the forest of Africa, these snakes can be found. They range from 1.5-2.5 meters. This specific species is also known as black cobra. Upto 10 meters, they can climb. Black Mamba Africa is their native country. Approximately, ten people can be killed by a single bite of these snakes. The running speed of this snake is 20 km/h. that’s why, they are considered as the fastest snake in the world. Rattlesnake Rattlesnakes are considered as one of the venomous snakes in this earth. At the very end of their tail, you can find rattle by which distinctive sound is created. Different types of rattlesnakes can be found on earth. The most poisonous among them is Eastern Diamondbacks. Golden Lancehead You can find out these types of snakes in the Queimada Grande which is a coast of Brazil. They are very much poisonous. Inland Taipan Can you believe that hundred people can be killed by a single bite of these Taipans? Yes, it does. Their venom is very concentrated.

SHARE 14 of the world's deadliest animals | Fox News 14 of the world's deadliest animals You don't want to cross paths with these creatures. Here are some of the world's deadliest animals. Great White Shark Boats, humans, fish; nothing and no one is safe from the great white shark. (AP) great-white-shark Mosquito An itchy bite isn't the only thing a mosquito can cause you; the pesky insects also easily transfer dangerous diseases that result in millions of deaths every year. For example, the Aedes aegypti mosquito pictured here, is one type of mosquito capable of infecting people with dengue fever. (Reuters) mosquito Polar Bear Don't be fooled by the cute and fluffy polar bear cub; not many stand a chance against these massive carnivores. (Reuters) polar-bear Boomslang Snake The boomslang snake is a large snake with a highly potent venom that is extremely harmful to humans. Their venom contains hemotoxin which stops blood from clotting causing it's victims to eventually bleed out. The snake pictured here is swallong a bird whole.

(hoffers79/Youtube) boomslang-snake Stonefish The stonefish's body is designed to camouflage itself against natural predators. It is able to camoflauge itself so well that swimmers may not notice them and step on them causing them to sting the unfortunate swimmer with a deadly venom. (Reuters) stonefish Brazilian Wandering Spider The Brazilian wandering spider may be small (its only five inches across) it was named the worlds most venomous spider by the Guinness World Records in 2010. The highly aggressive spider is also called the Banana spider because it is often found in bunches of the fruit. Their fondness for hiding in bananas sometimes means an unlucky customer picks one up at the supermarket. In 2009, the Brazilian spider was found at a Whole Foods in Oklahoma. (National Geographic/Youtube) brazilian-wandering-spider Blue-ringed octopus Don't be drawn in by the captivating colors and graceful movements of the blue-ringed octopus. While this sea creature might be small and beautiful, it is also deadly. One bite from the octopus will result in complete paralysis and death of an adult human in minutes.

(Frank Lame/Youtube) blue-ringed-octopus Carpet Viper The Carpet Viper (Echis carniatus) bites and kills more people than any other snake species. Often found lurking under loose rocks, the nocturnal creatures generally attack at night. (ViperKeeper/Youtube) carpet-viper Saltwater Crocodile One of the world's most dangerous creatures is the saltwater crocodile. The Earth's largest reptile can reach up to 23 feet long and weigh in at more than 2,000 pounds. Watch out because these predators will eat anything they can get their hands on from wild boars to humans and even sharks. (National Geographic/Youtube) saltwater-crocodile African Buffalo Even lions are scared of the African buffalo. Often called "The Black Death" or "widowmaker", the African buffalo kills over 200 people every year. (National Geographic/Youtube) african-buffalo Poison Dart Frog While the elaborate designs and bright colors of the poison dart frog may attract the eyes of humans, it is meant to scare away potential predators. Not all varieties of this frog are deadly, but do not touch! The poison is found on the skin of the animal.

(pyr05hrimp/Youtube) poison-dart-frog Pufferfish Almost all pufferfish contain the poison tetrodotoxin which is up to 1,200 times more dangerous to humans than cyanide. A single pufferfish contains enough poison to kill 30 adult humans and there is no known antidote. (NOAA/OER) pufferfish Cone Snail Don't be fooled by the colorful shell and small size of this underwater creature, one drop of venom from the cone snail is enough to kill a person. It is nicknamed the cigarette snail, because once bitten, a person will have enough time to smoke one cigarette before dying. (National Geographic/Youtube) cone-snail Box Jellyfish The box jellyfish uses its powerful venom to kill its prey like fish and shrimp. However, their venom contains toxins that attack the heath and nervous system and can cause overpowering pain to its human victims. Humans who are stung by the box jellyfish will often go into shock or die of heart failure. Those who survive the attack will be in immense amounts of pains with severe burns at the site of the sting. Each tentacle has approximately 5,000 stinging cells.

(EsotericHaven/Youtube) What are the Most Poisonous Animals? | Earth's Friends Home > Animals > What are the Most Poisonous Animals? What are the Most Poisonous Animals? 0 E-mail Total: 3 How do we keep this site running? This post may contain affiliate links — the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. Compensation does not affect rankings. Thanks! With over one million species of animal in the world – in fact there are over one million species of insect alone – there are plenty of species that pose a threat to mankind. There are poisonous snakes that could take the life of a six foot tall man in minutes and there are seven and a half foot bears that can kill a six foot tall man in seconds, but what exactly are the world’s most poisonous animals? In this article we will cover a variety of species that pose the biggest threat in terms of their poison strength, from the box jellyfish to the peculiar cone snail. Read on to find out if any of these creatures are native to your home.

The Box Jellyfish Certain species of the box jellyfish are recognized for the incredible strength of their venom, these species include the Carukia barnesi, the Chironex fleckeri and Malo kingi. Box jellyfish are actually not as box shaped as their name implies, in fact these jellyfish are umbrella shaped and can move at extremely rapid paces. Box jellyfish are for the most part concentrated in the Indo-Pacific but they can also be found in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the east Pacific. Not all species of the box jellyfish inflict fatal stings, in fact even some known to give fatal stings are not always fatal. The most commonly recognized box jellyfish species in terms of fatal stings is the Chironex fleckeri of Australia which has extremely potent neurotoxic venom that in injected from cnidocytes on the tentacles. Each tentacle of the box jellyfish can hold as many as 500,000 cnidocytes. The sting of the box jellyfish attacks the nervous system and causes shock and many times heart failure, anti-venom does exist but must be administered in a timely manner after the initial sting.

Although the Chironex fleckeri is known for having extremely potent venom the reported number of deaths as a result of stings from this jellyfish total 64 since the first reported fatality in 1883. While 64 may not seem like a significantly large number, it is not the number of deaths caused by an animal that make it one of the most poisonous animals in the world, instead it is the power of the venom injected at the time of attack. Most Poisonous Animals Video: The Box Jelly Fish [Video] The Cone Snail The cone snail is generally not mentioned by anyone as being one of the most poisonous animals in the world, namely because it is a snail and no one ever thinks of snails as having venom let alone venom strong enough to kill its victim. The cone snail is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean where it lives and feeds on the ocean floor. The cone snail feeds on small fish and utilizes a harpoon laced with poison to stun prey before consuming them. While these small snails may seem rather unassuming the fact is that if one of the larger species of these snails were to harpoon you and inject you with its poison, the sting can be fatal.

The venom of the cone snail causes muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and on occasion, death. There is currently no antidote for cone snail venom and the only method of treatment at this time is to keep the victim stable with life support until the snail venom has been completely metabolized. Ironically at this time medical research is looking in to the use of cone snail venom as a substitute for morphine due to its ability to decrease heart rate and deactivate pain receptors. The Inland Taipan The inland Taipan is noted as being the world’s deadliest snake. This snake of the Oxyuranus genus is a named as a fierce species of snake native to Australia. Despite being named a “fierce” snake, the inland Taipan is not actually aggressive and much prefers to escape danger than to confront it, the term fierce related to the fierce nature of the venom of this deadly snake. The inland Taipan is a dark tan to dark olive green color and generally measures around 6 feet in length. A single bite from this snake results in death of its prey and this includes human beings although humans are not seen as a prey item, merely as a threat.

When picked up or threatened when the inland Taipan sees no other means of escape it will bite and inject a human with an average of 44 mg of the venom taipoxin neurotoxin. The most ever venom noted as being injected by a single snake of this species is 110 mg, the median lethal dose of venom for mice is 30 μg/kg (ppb.) All known victims of bites from the inland Taipan have been herpetologists studying the snake to more accurately understand it, all of these bite incidents were treated successfully with anti-venom. The Deathstalker Scorpion The name of the deathstalker scorpion alone is enough to strike fear in to the hearts of anyone but this four inch long scorpion from the Middle East is capable of injecting an incredibly powerful neurotoxin. This yellowish scorpion may look unimpressive with particularly small pincers but this particular arachnid has a venom composed of a number of neurotoxins that are capable of killing young children, the elderly and those suffering from pre-existing conditions. While a single sting from the deathstalker is not generally expected to kill a healthy adult human, on occasion pulmonary edema does occur.

There is currently an anti-venom for the sting of the deathstalker scorpion; however, due to the nature of the poison itself, stings are exceptionally difficult to treat and many times require excessive amounts of anti-venom in order to reverse the effects of the venom itself. The Stone Fish When it comes to the most poisonous animals on the planet very few people think of fish. As it happens however, one of the most poisonous animals in the world is the stone fish. The stone fish is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean around coastal regions and is colored to camouflage itself among stones, hence the name stone fish. The poison within these fish lies in neurotoxins that are released from glands at the bottom of the needle-like dorsal spines of this fish that are raised as a means of defense when the fish is threatened. Most commonly envenomation by the stone fish occurs when individuals accidentally mistake this fish for a stone and step on it. The venom of the stone fish can prove to be fatal within two hours of the initial sting. Treatment for a stone fish sting includes the administration of anti-venom in addition to the application of extremely hot water (113 degrees Fahrenheit) which has proven in most cases to destroy the venom.

The Brazilian Wandering Spider One creature that many people expect to see on the list of the world’s most poisonous animals is the spider but contrary to popular belief the world’s most poisonous spider is not the black widow. The Brazilian wandering spider is most commonly found living in banana plantations in Brazil. The Brazilian wandering spider is not only recognized for the potency of its venom but also for its aggressive nature. This spider can have a leg span of up to 4 to 5 inches and a body length of 1 to 2 inches and have been known to both hiss and draw up their front legs to expose their fangs before initiating a powerful bite. The wandering spider gets its name from the fact that rather than building webs these spiders wader around the floors of Central and South American forest floors. The neurotoxin in the venom of the Brazilian wandering spider is particularly potent and produces loss of muscle control, respiratory failure, paralysis and on occasion death. Depending upon the amount of venom injected with a single bite and the age and demographics of the bite victim anti-venom is required to treat a bite from the Brazilian wandering spider.

The Greater Blue Ringed Octopus The greater blue ringed octopus is recognized by a large number of individuals as being one of the most poisonous animals in the world. Native to the Pacific Ocean this octopus grows to 8 inches across and is most commonly brown and yellow in color, only revealing its blue rings when threatened or attacking prey items. The blue ringed octopus can be found in coral and rock pools in the Pacific Ocean where it feeds upon shrimp, mollusks, fish and crabs which it incapacitates with venom injected using its beak. The venom of the blue ringed octopus is secreted from glands near to the mouth and injected when the prey is pierced using the sharp strong beak. This species of octopus, while known as one of the world’s most venomous creatures, is actually particularly calm unless it feels threatened at which point it flashes its blue rings before latching on to prey. Occasionally human beings are bitten by these octopi and the toxic neurotoxins that are injected can easily kill their victim. The toxin of this octopus is similar to a neurotoxin that is also found in the cone snail and the puffer fish.

Unfortunately for those bitten by the greater blue ringed octopus there is not currently any anti-venom that can be used to treat the bite of this octopus. A bite from the blue ringed octopus causes motor paralysis, respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest. Treatment for a bite from this octopus involves maintaining artificial respiration for the victim until the paralysis effect of the venom has passed, which usually occurs within two hours. Without artificial respiration however; a fully grown human male can suffer from respiratory failure and death. The Harvester Ant The harvester ant may seem like a particularly small and unassuming creature, but this insect actually does make it on to the list of the world’s most poisonous creatures. Most commonly harvester ants are found in the southern United States, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona where the live in incredible ant hills which can hold more than 10,000 ants. Some harvester ant mounds have been discovered that measure more than 6 ½ feet deep in to the ground and 3 ½ feet above the ground.

Of all species of harvester ant the Maricopa harvester ant or Pogonomyrmex Maricopa is the single most poisonous and is actually recognized as being the most poisonous insect in the world. The Maricopa harvester ant measures approximately half an inch to one and a quarter inches long but the venom of these ants is so strong that just twelve stings can kill a four and a half pound rat. The intense strength of the harvester ant toxin is so strong that in comparison to the honey bee it is twenty times the strength. One of the most dangerous aspects of the harvester ant sting is that once the toxin is released it leaves a pheromone trail that attracts other ants that flock to the sting site to attack the threat. With colonies that are made up of some 10,000 individuals the number of bites from a single harvester ant attack can be phenomenal. The sting of this ant is rather painful; however, anaphylaxis can occur and cause death as a result of a reaction to the ant’s apitoxin injection in to the bite site. Want to learn more about the harvester ant? We’ve got an entire article that delves deeper into the harvester ant for you to enjoy.

You can jump over to our harvester ant article now, or bookmark it to read when you’re finished this one. The King Cobra The king cobra is one creature that many people expect to find on the list of the world’s most poisonous animals. Not only is the king cobra an exceptionally venomous snake, but it is also the longest venomous snake in the world measuring in at over 18 ½ feet long. The king cobra is found most commonly living in the forest regions of India, the Philippines, Indonesia and Southeast Asia. This particular cobra is exceptionally aggressive and is also extremely venomous based on the sheer amount of venom that is injected with a single bite. Certainly the venom injected by the inland Taipan is considered to be much stronger than that of the king cobra but this snake issues such an amazing amount of venom with a single bite that it can easily kill a fully grown man. One of the most astounding facts about the venom of the king cobra is that this snake can kill a fully grown Asian elephant with a single bite to the trunk, death occurs generally within three hours.

The venom of this highly toxic snake incorporates both neurotoxins and cardiotoxic compounds and once they take effect they result in an attack on the victim’s central nervous system which can result in paralysis, coma and death by respiratory failure. One bite to a healthy adult male by the king cobra can result in death in just fifteen minutes but death may take as long as forty five minutes. The mortality rate of a king cobra bite is around 75 % but fortunately there are two varieties of anti-venom available to treat a bite by a king cobra. Unfortunately for those bitten, the anti-venom that is available is not available in significant quantities and is only manufactured in two specific locations in the world. If an individual is bitten by a king cobra and anti-venom is administered within a particularly short time frame, the effects of the snake venom can be remedied within approximately seven hours after envenomation. The Poison Dart Frog The poison dart frog is native to Central and South America and is recognized for its incredibly bright colors. These diurnal frogs vary in their levels of toxicity and many of the poison dart frog species are endangered; however, that does not prevent encounters between these frogs and humans.

The name “poison dart frog” does not actually come from the fact that these frogs shoot darts of poison, rather it comes from the practice of local indigenous people who utilize the poison from this frog on darts when hunting. Most poison dart frogs are particularly small in size, measuring less than half an inch long with the larger species growing up to two and a half inches long. The bright colors of these frogs are used as a warning system to warn other creatures in the environment of their toxicity. Interestingly enough when these frogs are raised in captivity they do not produce the toxins that make them so well known in the rainforests in which that are native. If; however, an individual were to pick up a poison dart frog in its native habitat the lipophilic alkaloid toxins that are secreted through their skin. The effects of the poisons secreted by these frogs serve to act as stimulants to the heart, appetite suppressants and muscle relaxants. Of all poison dart frog species, the Golden Poison Frog is the most toxic and carries enough poison to kill an average of twenty fully grown, healthy men. The potency of poison dart frog poison depends greatly upon the individual species being discussed.

Most Poisonous Animals Video: The Poison Dart Frog [BBC Video] Featured in this clip from the BBC wildlife show Wild Caribbean are some of the world’s most colorful and deadly frogs. Why Are So Many Species Of Animal So Poisonous? Why are so many species of animals so incredibly poisonous? For a number of animals the strength of their poison is a result of evolution. Animals that live in a particularly dangerous environment are exposed to more dangers in their every day interactions and as a result they have developed extreme poisons that are able to help them to survive. For other animals their development of such strong poisons is a result of their small size and inability to otherwise overcome prey items, for example the Deathstalker scorpion that relies upon the strength of its venom to bring down large insects. Without their incredibly strong and unusual venoms many of these animals would have been unable to survive life in the intense habitats that they call home and would have succumbed to larger predators that tend to dominate the tropical climates that house so many of these species. More Highly Poisonous Animals Added on March 25, 2012 The Black Mamba The black mamba is also recognized as the black mouthed mamba and is the longest venomous snake in Africa.

The black mamba measures in at between eight to ten feet long and gets its name from the dark black color inside its mouth. The outer color of the black mamba is a greenish grey color and unlike many other snakes, this venomous snake is known for being particularly fast moving. This snake can travel at between ten to twelve miles per hour and is a particularly aggressive snake. The fangs of the black mamba are fixed and these snakes have no real natural predators. The black mamba is a terrestrial snake and is diurnal by nature. When confronted the black mamba prefers to escape its potential captors but if pushed they will become extremely aggressive. The black mamba quickly kills its prey by biting it multiple times and injecting it with venom. Depending upon the size of the mamba’s prey the snake will maintain its grip on prey until it stops moving completely. Most commonly this snake feeds upon rats, mice, bats, shrews, squirrels and bush babies. The venom of the black mamba can vary depending upon each individual snake but it is known for being the most rapidly acting venom of all snake species. A single bite from a black mamba can bring down a full grown African elephant.

The toxic compounds in the black mamba’s venom include: neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, fasciculins and calciseptine. The Sydney Funnel Web Spider The Sydney funnel web spider is so named because it is a funnel web spider that is found within a sixty two mile radius of Sydney, Australia. This venomous spider varies in size and can measure in at anywhere from .39 inches to 2 inches long. This funnel web spider is black in color and is sexually dimorphic in that the males of the species are smaller and have longer legs than the females. This spider is a terrestrial spider that builds tunnels that have a funneled entrance which has a trapdoor or a series of trip lines designed to capture prey as they walk past. Most commonly these poisonous spiders are found in humid climates and make their burrows in trees, under rocks or in sandy ground. Most often these spiders feed upon small lizards and frogs or insects that pass by the burrow and become ensnared in trip lines or simply fall in to the trapdoor. When prey passes the funnel web spiders burrow, the spider leaps from its burrow and bites its prey envenomating them.

This spider species is quite aggressive and with bite repeatedly when threatened. The venom of this toxic spider contains atracotoxin which acts upon the nervous system. While the venom of this spider is deadly to humans – particularly young children and the elderly, there is an anti venom that has prevented any fatalities since 1981. The Puffer Fish There are a number of puffer fish species with approximately one hundred and twenty species found within nineteen different genera. The puffer fish is known by a variety of different names including: balloonfish, blowfish, swellfish and puffers. It is commonly said that these vertebrates are the second most poisonous vertebrates in the world. The puffer fish species can most often be spotted in tropical waters where the temperatures are much warmer, conversely, these fish are not found in cool waters. There are a number of areas of this fish that are considered to be extremely toxic such as the skin, the liver and other internal organs. Unusually for a particularly poisonous animal, the puffer fish is considered to be a delicacy in Japan and is commonly eaten. If served improperly this fish can be lethal which begins with a slight intoxication and can result in death by paralysis.

Puffer fish poisoning is caused by eating incorrectly prepared fish and causes light headedness, vomiting, numbness, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, a sudden drop in blood pressure and finally muscle paralysis. The muscle paralysis that comes from puffer fish poisoning will eventually paralyze the diaphragm and prevent breathing. It is possible for individuals to survive puffer fish poisoning; however, individuals can often be thrust in to a coma for a number of days prior to recovery. The poison of the puffer fish is not believed to be produced by the fish itself, it is believed to be a product of the stomach contents of the shellfish that the puffer fish feed upon. The Carpet Viper The carpet viper is also known as the saw scaled viper and the echis. These extremely poisonous snakes are native to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Africa and the Middle East. There are currently eight species of this venomous snake known and they are all found in extremely dry conditions. The carpet viper is known for being the snake species that is responsible for the most snake bites and the most deaths due to snake bites in the world. The adult carpet viper measures in at around thirty five inches in length and is a dark brown green in color with serrated keels on the scales.

This poisonous snake species is known for the strange noise that it makes when threatened which sounds much like sizzling bacon caused by the snake rubbing its coils together. This snake can be aggressive when cornered and when their noisy threat is ignored. Most commonly these species are believed to feed upon insects, spiders, frogs, other snakes, birds, small mammals and other reptiles. The venom of the carpet viper contains hemotoxins which can cause bleeding throughout various parts of the body that can last for days to weeks. As the hemotoxins take effect it is possible for bleeding to occur within the brain and cause death, in most cases of bites that are not treated intracranial bleeding does occur. The actual potency of the carpet viper’s venom varies depending upon the individual snake species as well as the sex of the snake and the time of the year. Irukandji Added on June 6, 2012 The irukandji jellyfish is a very tiny but very poisonous jellyfish that is found in the waters of Australia, the British Isles, Florida and Japan. There are two recognized species of this tiny jellyfish, the Carukia barnesi and the Malo kingi.

The body of the irukandji is around .2 inches to .4 inches wide and they have four tentacles that can grow to as long as 3.3 feet! The stingers of this jellyfish are located around the body as well as along the tentacles and look like tiny red dots. When the irukandji attacks it fires stingers directly in to prey items and the victim soon begins to present with symptoms. The symptoms associated with irukandji are referred to as “irukandji syndrome” and include: excruciating pain, muscle cramps, burning of the skin, nausea, sweating, vomiting, restlessness, an increase in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. While the length of symptoms can vary, the majority of irukandji sting victims require hospitalization. While for the most part, single irukandji stings are not fatal to man when treated promptly, fatalities have been recorded. Red Back Spider The red back spider is often confused with the black widow spider, while related; the red back spider is endemic to Australia while the black widow is found in North America among other areas.

The red back spider has a similar appearance, with a rounded abdomen, an all black body and a red marking on the upper abdomen. The red stripe runs down the length of the spider’s body and on the underneath of the spider it takes on the appearance of an hourglass shape. While the female red back spider is black and red, the male of the species is light brown with white coloration. Red back spiders are a particularly fast moving species and can survive in a wide variation of temperatures. The red back spider bites its prey and injects venom through hollow fangs. The venom of this spider contains the neurotoxin alpha-latrotoxin which causes the release of numerous neurotransmitters in the brain and causes damage to red blood cells. Throughout history only 14 deaths have been attributed to red back spider envenomation. Since the introduction of antivenin, red back spider bite fatalities have disappeared but the neurotoxins in the venom still pose a considerable risk to those with compromised or underdeveloped immune systems. Tiger Snake Tiger snakes are another poisonous creature native to Australia as well as Tasmania. This venomous snake is so named because of the tiger like stripes that run across its body.

A member of the Elapidae family, this snake can reach as long as 7 feet and can be fatal to humans. The color of the tiger snake tends to vary considerably from region to region but the most common colors include: yellow, orange brown, black and olive. The tiger snake prefers to live in coastal areas where they have access to both water and large prey populations. The venom of the tiger snake contains coagulants, neurotoxins, myotoxins and haemolysins. Symptoms from a tiger snake bite can include: trouble breathing, sweating, pain in the neck and feet, numbness, tingling and paralysis. The mortality of untreated bites from this snake falls between 40 and 60%. Gila monster The Gila monster is a venomous lizard found throughout Sonora, Mexico and in the southwestern United States. This long lizard can grow to 2 feet long and while its venom is particularly dangerous the slow speed of this “monster” makes it little threat to adult humans. The Gila monster spends most of its time living in burrows of small mammals and they crush and swallow their prey. This venomous lizard only feeds a handful of times per year.

When the Gila monster does feed it injects prey through chewing prey items since it does not have the ability to inject via fangs as many snakes do. The salivary glands of the Gila monster produce the venom which is then expressed through the teeth and in to chewing wounds. The venom of this lizard contains neurotoxins and no confirmed human fatalities have been made recorded in over 80 years. With that said however, a bite from a Gila monster can cause death in those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms associated with a Gila bite include: pain, weakness, a rapid drop in blood pressure, lethargy, paralysis and even hypothermia. Ironically, while the venom of this lizard is considered to be poisonous to humans, it has also been proven to inhibit the growth of lung cancer. Boomslang The boomslang is a venomous snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. This long snake tends to grow to between 3 and 5 feet long, but some individuals have been recorded as long as 6 feet! While the color of the boomslang varies considerably, all snakes within this species have an egg shaped head with very large eyes.

These large eyes are conducive to excellent eyesight which helps them to spot prey in trees. The boomslang is an arboreal snake and has been known to hibernate. Unlike many other venomous snakes, the boomslang is not overly aggressive and attacks only when they feel threatened or cornered, they would much rather escape conflict. The venom of the boomslang is exceptionally potent and is injected through rear fangs. The main devastation from a boomslang bite results from the hemotoxins properties. A bite from a boomslang may not show immediate symptoms because it is slow acting venom, however, if left untreated the victim will often die from internal and external bleeding. Other symptoms associated with the bite of this snake include: severe drowsiness, mental disorders, headache and nausea. If not treated quickly enough, the victim of a boomslang bite may require a blood transfusion in order to cleanse the hemotoxins from the blood. Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon is native to Indonesia and is a type of monitor lizard. The biggest living lizard species, the Komodo dragon can grow as long as 10 feet long and weigh as much as 150 lbs.

Komodo’s are currently labeled as a species vulnerable to extinction. The Komodo dragon depends upon its tongue for most of its senses due to having poor eye sight and poor hearing. These giant lizards prefer to live in warmer climates that are arid and are solitary creatures by nature. It is the saliva of the Komodo dragon that makes it poisonous, this saliva has tested positive for numerous bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus. Side effects of Komodo dragon bites include: pain, swelling, lowered blood pressure, paralysis and a disruption in blood clotting. Commonly the bite from this giant lizard also contributes to the development of sepsis. 1000+ images about Boomslangs on Pinterest | Snakes, Africa and The snake Learn more at savp.co.za Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) Haemotoxic Venom Native to sub-Saharan Africa, this tree-dwelling, potently venomous snake has many colour variations. Females usually retain a light brown colour, where as males are highly variable, ranging from black to bright green. They have a short, blunt nose and large, prominent eyes with a pear-shaped pupil. Boomslang has exceptionally large eyes proportionate to its distinctive egg-shaped head.

Adults may exceed 1.8 meters in length More The Boomslang or Tree Snake | Blog The Boomslang or Tree Snake 0 The Boomslang or Tree Snake The boomslang is a relatively small venomous snake which is also colour blind. The boomslang is known to be the only species in its genus. The name boomslang means “tree snake” directly translated from Afrikaans The boomslang is an oviparous species. The eggs have a relatively long (3 months on average) incubation period. Hatchlings are greyish with blue speckles. They attain their adult coloration after several years. 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. Many members of the family Colubridae that are considered venomous are essentially harmless to humans, because they either have small venom glands, relatively weak venom, or an inefficient system for delivery of venom.

However, the boomslang is a notable exception in that it has highly potent venom, which it delivers through large fangs that are located in the rear of the jaw. The venom of the boomslang is primarily a haemotoxin. It disables the blood clotting process and the victim may well die as a result of internal and external bleeding. Other signs and symptoms include: headache, nausea, sleepiness and mental disorders. Because the venom is slow to act, symptoms may not be manifest until many hours after the bite. On the one hand, this provides time for procuring the serum, while on the other hand it may lead victims to underestimate the seriousness of the bite. Snakes of any species may sometimes fail to inject venom when they bite aptly named a “dry bite”, so after a few hours without any noticeable effects, victims of Boomslang bites may believe (wrongly) that their injury is not serious. Adult boomslang has 1.6–8mg of venom. Various sources give figures ranging from 0.06-0.72mg/kg being sufficient to kill mice in 50% of cases, if the venom reaches a vein.

Despite all of this, the boomslang and other snakes are gentle creatures and will only attack when they are put in a situation they don’t want to be in. Most of the time the snake will see you before you see it and it will move away. Any snakes prerogative is to always avoid contact with humans as they are not by their nature, a conflict species. So next time you find a snake please don’t kill it, rather find some one that knows how to handle snakes safely and get the person to remove the snake for you . In this picture you will see a male boomslang who is resident at Tilney Manor. This is an example of how people and snakes can live peacefully in the same environment. by Christopher Bettesworth Venomous vs Poisonous: What Is the Difference Between Venom, Poison, and Toxins? Venomous vs Poisonous: What Is the Difference Between Venom, Poison, and Toxins? Arjun Harrith Quick and dirty answer: If you bite it and die, it is poisonous; if it bites you and you die, it is venomous. We have done a number of posts on horrifying creatures, plants, and other organisms that have the ability to kill you.

Of course, many creatures that we have covered are not amazingly large monstrosities that will swallow you whole; rather, some of the planet’s fiercest predators are minuscule organisms that kill with poison…or is it venom…toxins? Ultimately, word choice matters. Although most people use the terms interchangeably, the words are not, in fact, interchangeable. True, if you are dying because some unknown organism just latched on to your foot and injected you with some horrible mix of chemicals, your primary concern is probably not going to be, “was that thing venomous or poisonous?” And honestly, when you call for emergency medical assistance, they probably aren’t going to nitpick your word choice if you tell them, “I was just bitten by a poisonous snake!” However, personally, I don’t want my last statement to be a scientifically inaccurate one. And I am guessing that, since you are here, you likely don’t want that either. So let’s take a moment to distinguish venomous creatures from poisonous ones. That way, if your final words are going to be something like, “I was attacked by a venomous horror!” you can rest peacefully knowing that your final words were backed by sound science.

Venomous or Poisonous? The quick and dirty way to separate venomous creatures from poisonous ones is by thinking about bites: If you bite it and die, it is poisonous; if it bites you and you die, it is venomous. But to break things down a bit more: To deliver their chemicals, venomous creatures bite you—they actively inject their deadly mixture into other organisms (via fangs, spines, stingers, or similar methods of delivery). For example, consider Oxyuranus microlepidotus (the inland tipan). This snake is generally believed to have the deadliest venom of any known creature. If this snake bites you, things will go downhill very quickly. A single drop of the inland taipan’s venom can kill 250,000 mice or 100 adult humans. Fortunately, the snake is a bit on the shy side, and so it tends to avoid any contact with humans. Another horrifyingly venomous snake is Dispholidus typus, the boomslang . The average size of these creatures is 1 to 1.6m (3.2 to 5.2 feet).

And while many snakes have fangs and mouths that are too small to pose a danger to humans, this is certainly not the case with the boomslang. These creatures are able to open their jaws more than 170 degrees in order to bite their prey. What’s more, the venom of the boomslang is a hemotoxin. This means that it disables the body’s clotting process…meaning that the unfortunate victim will likely die as a result of internal and external bleeding, unless medical treatment is administered. The venom is also known to induce hemorrhaging in muscle and brain tissues (not so fun times). In 1957, eminent herpetologist Karl P. Schmidt died just 24 hours after being bitten by a boomslang. Although he had time to seek medical assistance and try to administer an antivenom, at the time, rear-fanged creatures were not believed to be a serious threat. Consequently, Schmidt went about his daily business. 24 hours later, he was found dead from respiratory arrest and a cerebral hemorrhage.

That said, the boomslang is also a rather shy snake, and bites are exceedingly rare (however, if you are ever bitten by any animal, seek medical attention as soon as possible). If you are looking for a more scientific way to define venomous creatures, according to Trends in Ecology and Evolution , venom is: A secretion, produced in a specialised gland in one animal and delivered to a target animal through the infliction of a wound ‘regardless of how tiny it could be,’ which contains molecules that disrupt normal physiological or biochemical processes so as to facilitate feeding or defense by the producing animal. Conversely, poisonous creatures secrete their harmful chemicals (often, through their skin). In other words, a poisonous creature can only deliver its toxins if you (or another unwary creature) eats it or touches it. For example, let’s look at the poison dart frog (from the Dendrobatidae family). These guys are rather small, measuring in at just 2 inches (5cm). However, this tiny amphibian has enough poison to kill an estimated 20,000 mice (or about 10 adult humans). Like many other poisonous creatures, scientists believe that the poison dart frog gets its deadly concoction from its environment.

Research suggests that the frog eats insects that carry the poison, and that these insects get their poison from plants. Poison dart frog. Via The Nature Conservancy/Sergio Pucci According to Oxford Dictionaries, “poisonous organisms” can be defined rather simply: An organism that produces toxins that are harmful when the animal or plant is touched or eaten. Notably, there are creatures that are poisonous and venomous. And as a final point in the discussion of poison and venom, there is a difference between talking about “poisonous creatures” and “poisons.” “Poison” actually has a rather broad definition; it is simply any chemical substance that causes a biological disturbance in other organisms. So What Are Toxins? Unlike venom and poison, the word “toxin” is not defined by a specific method of delivery. Rather, a toxin has a broader meaning. It is a biologically produced chemical substance that impacts biological functions in other organisms. In this respect, anything that is synthesized (by humanity or other intelligent life) is not considered a toxin. Rather, a “toxicant” is a chemical substance that is synthesized/produced by human activity.

In short, toxins and toxicants are narrower definitions for the word “poison.” So to sum: Poisons are any chemical substances that impact biological functions in other organisms. Toxins are biologically produced chemical substances that impact biological functions in other organisms. Toxicants are synthesized chemical substances that impact biological functions in other organisms. Poisonous organisms secrete chemical substances that impact biological functions in other organisms. Venomous creatures inject chemical substances that impact biological functions in other organisms. Cue “the more you know” music. Written By

Question: A boomslang is what type of creature?
Answer: Snake