The Most Dangerous Venomous Snakes: Africa
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Boomslang
- Scientific name: Dispholidus typus
- Family: Colubridae
- Subfamily: Colubrinae
- Genus: Dispholidus
- Length: Up to 6.5 feet (2 meters)
- Venom: Hemotoxic
The boomslang is rather shy and its venom takes a while to kick in after its bite. On one hand, this is an advantage as there is plenty of time to get to the antidote. On the other, the bite is often underestimated and not treated. The fact that some bite victims actually feel better after the bite adds to the confusion. Well-known herpetologist Karl P Schmidt, for example, was bitten by a boomslang and called his work the next day to say he’d be back in. Two hours before he was due to start work (28 hours after the bite), he literally dropped down dead.
- Table of Contents:
- Black Mamba
- Cape Cobra
- Forest Cobra
- Puff Adder
- Gaboon Viper
- Egyptian Cobra
- Boomslang
- Find Out more:
- Venomous Snakes - How Does Their Venom Work? How to Avoid Getting Bitten?
- The Most Dangerous Venomous Snakes: Asia
- The Most Dangerous Venomous Snakes: Australia and New Guinea
- The Most Dangerous Venomous Snakes: Central and South America