Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Magic/Boomslang

Overview
Boomslang skin is one of the components of Polyjuice Potion.

Extended Description
Boomslang skin is used rarely enough that it is not in the student supply cabinet with most other potion ingredients. Hermione determines that in order to make their Polyjuice Potion, she will have to sneak into Professor Snape's office, and arranges a diversion, with Harry's help.

When Boomslang skin turns up missing in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Snape accuses Harry privately of having stolen it.

A Boomslang is an actual creature, despite the exotic name; it is a venomous snake that is native to parts of Africa. "Boomslang" is Afrikaans for tree- ("boom") snake ("slang"), and refers to Dispholidus typus, a large, venomous snake in the family Colubridae, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa.