here are presently between 2,500 to 3,000 known types of snakes in the world. The list continues to grow as more species of snakes are discovered. Of these many snake types, they can be classified into five main families. They are the Colubridae, Boidae, Viperidae, Elapidae, and Hydrophiidae. Surprisingly enough, the majority of snakes are not poisonous. They use other means to kill their prey. Read on to learn more about the five families as we enter the fascinating world of snakes.
The Colubridae, also known as colubrids, is the main snake family. It accounts for nearly two thirds of the snakes in the world. It is the largest of the five families and majority of the snakes that belong in the Colubridae family are not poisonous. Only a few colubrid snakes, like the Boomslang and the African Twig snake, produce venom. Colubridae snakes are generally harmless to humans. Their fangs are located at the rear of their mouth and their bodies are completely covered in scales. Examples of colubrids include the Common Keelback, the Queen snake, Bull Snake, King Snake, Corn Snake, Garter Snake, Rat Snake, Smooth Snake, Milk Snake and the Water Snake Mussurana.
The second family of snakes is the Boidae family. The Boidae family, also known as boids, is home to three of the largest snakes in the whole world. These giant snakes are the African rock python, the reticulated python, and the anaconda. Other species that are part of the Boidae family are boa constrictors and pythons. Boids are generally not venomous and they use their strength to constrict and kill their prey.
Snakes that have hinged and long fangs that penetrate deep into their prey’s flesh come from the third family of snakes known as the Viperidae family. All viperids are venomous and they give out hematoxic venom that targets their prey’s blood and tissues causing disruption of the blood clotting system, necrosis, strong local swelling and blood loss. Examples of snakes that belong to the Viperidae family are rattlesnakes, vipers, adders, cottonmouths, bushmasters and copperheads. Beware of the Viperidaes.
The fourth family is the most lethal poisonous snakes. These snakes, such as the black mamba and the fierce snake are found in the Elapidae family, also known as elapids. All elapids are venomous and they are found mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. Elapids posses hollow fangs that they use to inject venom into their prey. The Elapidae snake produces neurotoxic venom that targets the nervous system of its prey. The elapids include the Australian copperheads, cobras, kraits, king cobras, coral snakes, and mambas.
Finally, the Hydrophiidae snake family is home to the sea snakes. They are one of the most venomous snakes in the world. 1.5 milligram of a Hydrophiidae’s venom is enough to kill a full grown human. Fortunately for us, these types of snakes do not bite unless they are provoked. All Hydrophiidae snakes are venomous.
The Colubridae, also known as colubrids, is the main snake family. It accounts for nearly two thirds of the snakes in the world. It is the largest of the five families and majority of the snakes that belong in the Colubridae family are not poisonous. Only a few colubrid snakes, like the Boomslang and the African Twig snake, produce venom. Colubridae snakes are generally harmless to humans. Their fangs are located at the rear of their mouth and their bodies are completely covered in scales. Examples of colubrids include the Common Keelback, the Queen snake, Bull Snake, King Snake, Corn Snake, Garter Snake, Rat Snake, Smooth Snake, Milk Snake and the Water Snake Mussurana.
The second family of snakes is the Boidae family. The Boidae family, also known as boids, is home to three of the largest snakes in the whole world. These giant snakes are the African rock python, the reticulated python, and the anaconda. Other species that are part of the Boidae family are boa constrictors and pythons. Boids are generally not venomous and they use their strength to constrict and kill their prey.
Snakes that have hinged and long fangs that penetrate deep into their prey’s flesh come from the third family of snakes known as the Viperidae family. All viperids are venomous and they give out hematoxic venom that targets their prey’s blood and tissues causing disruption of the blood clotting system, necrosis, strong local swelling and blood loss. Examples of snakes that belong to the Viperidae family are rattlesnakes, vipers, adders, cottonmouths, bushmasters and copperheads. Beware of the Viperidaes.
The fourth family is the most lethal poisonous snakes. These snakes, such as the black mamba and the fierce snake are found in the Elapidae family, also known as elapids. All elapids are venomous and they are found mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. Elapids posses hollow fangs that they use to inject venom into their prey. The Elapidae snake produces neurotoxic venom that targets the nervous system of its prey. The elapids include the Australian copperheads, cobras, kraits, king cobras, coral snakes, and mambas.
Finally, the Hydrophiidae snake family is home to the sea snakes. They are one of the most venomous snakes in the world. 1.5 milligram of a Hydrophiidae’s venom is enough to kill a full grown human. Fortunately for us, these types of snakes do not bite unless they are provoked. All Hydrophiidae snakes are venomous.
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