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Types of Snakes

As mentioned earlier, there are roughly 3,400 individual snake species. They are grouped into more than 20 families. But some families are very small, containing only one or two species. The majority of species fall into the five major families listed below. Colubridae -- The Colubridae family is by far the largest family of snakes. There are more than 1,900 individual species within this one family alone. That's more than half of the 3,400 or so species that inhabit our planet. These types of snakes are referred to as colubrids. Nearly all of them are non-venomous, with a few exceptions (such as the venomous boomslang). Boidae -- The Boidae family includes 40 - 45 individual species that are commonly and collectively referred to as boas. The largest and heaviest snake in the world, the green anaconda, is a member of this family. All boids are non-venomous, powerful constrictors. They rely on their sheer size and strength to kill their prey. Most boas give birth to live young, as opposed to laying eggs.

Elapidae -- The Elapidae family of snakes (also known as elapids) includes a variety of venomous species such as cobras, mambas, coral snakes and taipans. Se snakes are now classified as part of this family as well. All elapids are venomous. In fact, some of the most venomous types of snakes in the world are part of this family. Elapids produce a neurotoxin, which is a type of venom that attacks the central nervous systems (respiration) of their prey). Pythonidae -- The Pythonidae family includes some of the longest snakes in the world, including the reticulated python of Southeast Asia. The snakes found in this family are collectively referred to as "pythons," though there are many individual species occurring in many parts of the world. The ball python, a common species found within the pet trade, is also a member of this family. Viperidae -- The Viperidae family of snakes (known as viperids) includes rattlesnakes, vipers, adders and other species. All types of snakes in the Viperidae family are venomous. In the United States, most venomous snakes species fall within this family (including all rattlesnakes, the copperhead, and the water moccasin). The coral snake (and elapid) is one of the only venomous snakes in the U.S. that is not in the Viperidae family. Nearly all members of this family produce hematoxic venom that attacks the tissue and blood of their prey.