Kinds of Snakes

Snakes make up the suborder Serpentes of the order Squamata. Some zoologists place snakes in 10 or 13 families, but most zoologists divide them into the following 11 families. The number of species in each family is also in dispute. The numbers given below are generally accepted by most zoologists.

This family of Asian river snakes contains two species, the elephant trunk snake, or wart snake, Acrochordus javanicus, and Chersydrus granulatus. Both snakes are hunted for their rough, granular skin, which is used to make shoes and handbags.

The 12 species are commonly called pipe snakes. These snakes are harmless. They have cylindrical bodies and vestiges of hind limbs, and burrow into the ground. Pipe snakes are found in northeastern South America and in southeastern Asia.

This family is made up of the boas. It is almost worldwide in distribution, and consists of about 100 species. The snakes are nonvenomous, constricting snakes. Almost all species have vestiges of hind limbs. Many species have sense organs called labial pits in the scales of the lips. The organs are similar in function to the pit vipers' pits.

This family of common, or typical, snakes is made up of about 2,000 species and includes most of the world's snakes. Most are not venomous and those that do produce venom are not deadly. These snakes are found in almost all parts of the world. Members of this family include water snakes, garter snakes, racers, king snakes, milk snakes, bull snakes, and flying snakes.

This family of about 200 species includes the cobras, mambas, and coral snakes. All species are venomous, and the bite of many can be fatal to humans. Members of the family are found in most parts of the world, excluding northern North America and northern Eurasia. Many of these snakes are brightly colored.

Members of this family, called sea snakes, are found in tropical waters. Although found mainly in Southeast Asia, they also inhabit the American Pacific coast from southern Mexico to northern South America. There are about 50 species, ranging from about 2 to 8 feet (60 to 240 cm) in length. They are excellent swimmers and their bodies are slightly compressed from side to side. The tail is greatly compressed from side to side, forming a paddle-like structure used in swimming. These snakes are venomous.

Members of this family are also known as blind snakes and resemble the members of the family Typhlopidae. There are about 50 species distributed from the southwestern United States to Brazil and in the West Indies, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

There are about 200 species in this family, collectively called blind snakes. These snakes are harmless. They have vestigial (underdeveloped) eyes hidden under scales. Blind snakes are widely scattered throughout the tropics and subtropics.

There are about 45 species in this family; they are commonly called shield-tailed snakes. These snakes burrow into the ground. The top of the tail is flattened and shield-shaped, accounting for the snake's common name. They are found in Sri Lanka and southern India.

This family of about 150 species includes the vipers, pit vipers, and rattlesnakes. These snakes have long, curved fangs and are venomous.

The family has one species, the sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis unicolor), found only in Southeast Asia. The sunbeam snake has shiny iridescent scales and grows to a length of 3 feet (90 cm).