Facts about Boomslang

1. 07

   Specialized grooves along the boomslang's maxillary bones allow venom to travel from glands along the roof of its mouth directly into its rear fangs for delivery during prey consumption.

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2. 06

   The boomslang's rear-fanged venom delivery system requires the snake to chew its prey for several seconds to achieve effective envenomation, unlike front-fanged snakes that inject venom immediately.

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3. 05

   In 1957, herpetologist Karl Schmidt became the first recorded human fatality from a boomslang bite after the snake struck his hand while he was handling it at the Chicago Natural History Museum.

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4. 04

   Boomslangs reach lengths of 4 to 6 feet on average, making them relatively slender snakes that weigh only 200 to 400 grams despite their elongated bodies.

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5. 03

   A boomslang's eyes comprise 50 percent of its head width, giving it exceptional binocular vision for hunting small prey among tree branches.

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6. 02

   Southern Africa's boomslang can change its body color from bright green to brown or black within minutes when threatened or stressed.

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7. 01

   Hemotoxic venom in the boomslang destroys red blood cells, causing victims to bleed from multiple body orifices within 24 hours of envenomation.

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