Dispholidus typus Family: Colubridae Subfamily: Colubrinae Genus: Dispholidus Species: typus Subspecies: typus , punctatus , kivuensis Common Names Boomslang , Common African Tree Snake , Kivu Boomslang ( D. t. kivuensis ) , Kivu Large Green Tree Snake ( D. t. kivuensis ) Local Names Gewone Boomslang , N'dlondlo , Coracundu , Ikumbu , Oparissa , Ngole , Bukizi Region Sub-Saharan Africa Countries Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire ( Ivory Coast ), Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritania, Cabinda, Somalia   Taxonomy and Biology Adult Length: 1.35 m General Shape Large in length, moderately laterally compressed, elongate, slender bodied snake with a long and slender tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 2.13 metres. Head is oval shaped when viewed from above but distinct from slender neck, crown is convex, snout is short with a distinct canthus. Eyes are very large in size with round ( a slight anterior prolongation present ) pupils. Dorsal scales are narrow, small, leaf-like with a dry appearance, imbricate, distinctly keeled and with apical pits. Dorsal scale count usually 25 ( 21 to 25 ) - 19 ( 17 to 21 ) - 13 ( 11 or 15 ). Habitat Open bush, savanna and sparsely wooded grassland. Not found in the Congo basin rainforest, arid regions or montane grasslands. Habits Diurnal and arboreal seldom venturing to the ground. A very timid snake which will try to escape if disturbed. If cornered it will inflate its neck to a marked degree and display its bright colouration and strike with vigour. It has excellent vision and hunts for prey during the day. It remains motionless when it first notices potential prey and awaits the opportunity to strike swiftly if within range, or pursue its prey through the foliage. Prey Mainly chameleons and birds and other small vertebrates. Often raids birds nests. Prey is seized, held tightly in the jaws and chewed until the venom takes effect Species Map Small (Approx 20k) version   Venom Average Venom Qty 15.2 mg ( dry weight ), Grasset and Schaafsma (1940) ( Ref : R000611 ). 2.5 mg ( dry weight ), Robertson and Delpierre (1969) ( Ref : R000615 ). 4 to 8 mg ( dry weight ), Minton (1974) ( Ref : R000504 ). 0.5 to 1.0 mg ( dry weight ), Minton and Minton (1980) ( Ref : R000613 ). 1.0 to 17.0 mg ( dry weight ), Spawls and Branch (1995) ( Ref : R000704 ). General: Venom Neurotoxins Not present General: Venom Myotoxins Not present General: Venom Procoagulants Mixture of procoagulants General: Venom Anticoagulants Possibly present General: Venom Haemorrhagins Probably present General: Venom Nephrotoxins Not present General: Venom Cardiotoxins Not present General: Venom Necrotoxins Not present General: Venom Other Not present or not significant   Clinical Effects General: Dangerousness Severe envenoming possible, potentially lethal General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be moderate General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unknown but may cause major envenoming General: Local Effects Local pain, swelling & bruising General: Local Necrosis Not likely to occur General: General Systemic Effects Variable non-specific effects which may include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, collapse or convulsions General: Neurotoxic Paralysis Unlikely to occur General: Myotoxicity Not likely to occur General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages Common, moderate to severe coagulopathy + haemorrhagins causing extensive bleeding General: Renal Damage Recognised complication, usually secondary to coagulopathy General: Cardiotoxicity Unlikely to occur General: Other Not likely to occur   First Aid Description: First aid for potentially dangerous non-front-fanged colubroid snakes (see listing in Comments section). Details 1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment. 2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged. 3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops. 4. If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage (even torn strips of clothing or pantyhose) should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as for a sprain; not so tight circulation is impaired), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes, going over the top of clothing rather than risking excessive limb movement by removing clothing. The bitten limb should then be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling. 5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention. 6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock. 7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration. 8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites. In Australia and parts of New Guinea, Snake Venom Detection Kits are available to identify the snake from venom left on the skin. 9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back. 10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.   Treatment Treatment Summary Bites cause potentially severe, even lethal coagulopathy and require urgent assessment & treatment. Antivenom, though often difficult to obtain, is the most effective treatment for the coagulopathy. Key Diagnostic Features Local pain, swelling, blood blisters + coagulopathy & haemorrhage General Approach to Management All cases should be treated as urgent & potentially lethal. Rapid assessment & commencement of treatment including appropriate antivenom (if indicated & available) is mandatory. Admit all cases. Antivenom Therapy Antivenom is the key treatment for systemic envenoming. Multiple doses may be required. Antivenoms 1. Antivenom Code: SAfSAI05 Antivenom Name: SAIMR Boomslang Antivenom Manufacturer: South African Vaccine Producers (Pty) Ltd Phone: +27 11 386-6000; +27 11 386-6078 Address: Postal address PO Box 28999 Sandringham 2131 Gauteng Province Physical address 1 Modderfontein Road Sandringham, Johannesburg Country: South Africa   Images Dispholidus typus ( Boomslang ) [ Original photo copyright © Dr Julian White ] Click here for larger version