Boomslang

The boomslang is a large, highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. Its common name means "tree snake" in Afrikaans. These snakes have exceptionally large eyes, and their head has a characteristic egg-like shape. Boomslangs have excellent eyesight and often move the head from side to side to get a better view of objects directly in front. Coloration of their skin is very variable. 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 Because boomslang venom is a hemotoxin it's not surprising that it can lead to major brain and muscle hemorrhage. But the venom also causes other symptoms like nausea, headaches and sleepiness. Perhaps what is most surprising is that this venom has the ability to make the victim bleed from every possible orifice.

Scientific name: Dispholidus typus

Rank: Species

Location: sub-Saharan Africa

Family: Colubridae

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Squamata

Phylum: Chordata