A boomslang (Dispholius typus) is a relatively small, venomous colubrid snake native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is currently the only species in its genus, although several species and subspecies have been described in the past. Its name means "tree snake" in Afrikaans and Dutch ("boom" meaning tree, and "slang" meaning snake). In Afrikaans the name is pronounced BOO-uhm-slung. The snake is thought to be closely related to members of the genera Thelotornis, Thrasops, Rhamnophis, and Xyelodontophis, with which it forms the tribe Dispholidini.