Snake Families

In this post, we will be looking at various snakes and what family groups they belong to. I will be focusing on the five main types.

1. Boidae - boas.
2. Pythonidae - pythons.
3. Colubridae - this is the biggest family of snakes, (harmless, nonvenomous and back fanged venomous).
4. Elapidae - this is fixed fanged venomous.
5. Viperidae - front hinged fanged snakes.

Boidae are nonvenomous snakes found in America, Africa, Asia and Europe. There are roughly 43 species and are considered relatively primitive. Most species of boa give birth to live young. A few snakes that belong in the boa family include: boa constrictor, bevel-nosed boas, emerald tree boa, amazon tree boa and rainbow boa.

Rainbow Boa

 

Pythonidae are again, nonvenomous and are found in Africa, Asia and Australia. There are 26 species of pythonidae. In the USA the introduction of burmese pythons has led to an invasion of the Everglades. Most members of this family are ambush predators and will lay and wait for prey. A few snakes that belong in this family include: royal pythons, reticulated pythons, rock pythons and blood pythons.

Royal Python

Colubridae contain some 1900+ species and is the largest snake family, comprising two thirds of all snake species. Colubrids are found on every content except Antarctica. They also contain a mixture of venomous and nonvenomous snakes. They are mostly harmless to humans with the exception of boomslangs and twig snakes (amongst others). A few snakes that belong in this family include: corn snakes, hognose, garter snakes, milk snakes and rat snakes.

Corn Snakes

Elapidae are venomous and are found in tropical and sub-tropical environments particularly in Asia, Australia, Africa and America. There are 325 species in this family and they have hollow fixed fangs that they use to inject venom. A few snakes in this family include: cobras, sea snakes, mambas, kraits, and taipans.

Banded Krait

Viperidae are venomous and are found worldwide, except Antarctica, Australia, Ireland and other isolated areas. They have long hinged fangs and have four sub families. Some species include: horned vipers, moccasins, rattlesnakes, pit vipers and adders.

Rattlesnake

For further information on venomous snakes click here.