Boomslang
BoomslangBoomslangBoomslangBoomslang

Boomslang

Dispholidus typus

Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Masai Mara National Reserve
6 Verified sightings at Masai Mara National Reserve From 2019 to 2026
402 Verified sightings across all 20 parks From 2019 to 2026
June Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Boomslang

The boomslang ( or; Dispholidus typus) is a highly venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Its common name means "tree snake" in Dutch and Afrikaans – boom meaning "tree", and slang meaning "snake". In Afrikaans, the name is pronounced [ˈbuəmslaŋ].

The boomslang is a colubrid snake within the subfamily Colubrinae. It belongs to the genus Dispholidus, which contains two other species, D. pembae and D. punctatus. The boomslang is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis, and Xyelodontophis, with which it forms the taxonomic tribe Dispholidini.

Close relationships can be shown in the cladogram below: Two subspecies are recognised, including the nominotypical subspecies. D. t. kivuensis Laurent, 1955 D. t. typus (A. Smith, 1828) The trinomial authority in parentheses for D. t. typus indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Dispholidus.

The average adult boomslang is 100–160 centimetres (3.3–5.2 ft) in total length (including tail). Some exceed 183 centimetres (6.00 ft). The eyes are exceptionally... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Masai Mara National Reserve

Red-lipped Snake
LC

Red-lipped Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Olive Marsh Snake
LC

Olive Marsh Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Natriciteres olivacea

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Garden Route National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~20%
2 Addo Elephant National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
3 Kruger National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
4 Table Mountain National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
~10%
5 Serengeti National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
~10%
6 Tsavo East National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
7 Masai Mara National Reserve 🇰🇪 Kenya
~10%
8 Selous Game Reserve 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
9 Liwonde National Park 🇲🇼 Malawi
Insufficient data
10 Hwange National Park 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Insufficient data
11 Gorongosa National Park 🇲🇿 Mozambique
Insufficient data
12 Tsavo West National Park 🇰🇪 Kenya
Insufficient data
13 Chobe National Park 🇧🇼 Botswana
Insufficient data
14 South Luangwa National Park 🇿🇲 Zambia
Insufficient data
15 Tarangire National Park 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data
16 Moremi Game Reserve 🇧🇼 Botswana
Insufficient data
17 Pilanesberg National Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
18 iSimangaliso Wetland Park 🇿🇦 South Africa
Insufficient data
19 Queen Elizabeth National Park 🇺🇬 Uganda
Insufficient data
20 Ngorongoro Conservation Area 🇹🇿 Tanzania
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Boomslang in Masai Mara National Reserve?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Boomslang sighting in Masai Mara National Reserve, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Boomslang in Masai Mara National Reserve?

June has the highest sighting rate for Boomslang in Masai Mara National Reserve in our monthly data.

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