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Snakes of the U.S.

 



Abbreviation Legend

  • (CE) - Criticially Endangered
  • (CI) - Critically Imperiled
  • (E) - Endangered
  • (I) - Introduced
  • (IM) - Imperiled
  • (NT) - Near Threatened
  • (T) - Threatened
  • (V) - Vulnerable
  • (**) - Recent Classification Change
Home »» Snakes »» Colubridae (Colubrids) Page 1 of 5

Colubrids of the United States

Page 1 of 5


The majority of the world's snake belong to the family Colubridae. There is so much diversification of structure within this family that it has been divided into groups known as subfamilies. Most of the colubrids, as the snakes of this family are called, are the typical harmless snakes that predominate in every continent except Antartica. 

A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake) is a snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. It is a broad classification of snakes that includes well over half of all snake species on earth. Colubrid species are found on every continent, except Antarctica. 

A colubrid's body is almost completely covered in scales. They have highly flexible jaws, allowing them to consume large prey items, and have no remnant of a pelvic girdle. 

While most colubrids are non-venomous (or have venom that isn't known to be harmful to humans) and are normally harmless, a few groups, such as genus Boiga, can produce medically significant bites, while the boomslang and the twig snakes have caused human fatalities. The venom is a modified form of saliva, secreted by glands in the upper jaw. 

The venom-injecting fangs of colubrids are termed opisthoglyphous, meaning that the small, grooved fangs are located in the back of the upper jaw, unlike those of vipers and elapids, which are located in the front. Even non-venomous colubrids often have fangs in this position, and use them to puncture egg-shells or similar food.

 

There are 136 species of colubrids found in the United States, only 2 of which have been Introduced.

Glossy Snake
(Arizona elegans)
(I)

Javan File Snake
(Acrochordus javanicus)

Baja California Rat Snake
(Bogertophis rosaliae)

Trans Pecos Rat Snake
(Bogertophis subocularis)

Common Worm Snake
(Carphophis amoenus)

Western Worm Snake
(Carphophis vermis)

Scarlet Snake
(Cemophora coccinea)

Texas Scarlet Snake
(Cemophora lineri)

Banded Sand Snake
(Sonora cincta)

Resplendent Desert Shovel-Nose Snake
(Sonora annulata)

Mojave Shovel-Nose Snake
(Sonora occipitalis)

Sonoran Shovel-Nose Snake
(Sonora palarostris)
(NT)

Kirtland's Snake
(Clonophis kirtlandii)

North American Racer
(Coluber constrictor)

Black-Striped Snake
(Coniophanes imperialis)

Forest Sharp-Tailed Snake
(Contia longicaudae)

Sharp-Tailed Snake
(Contia tenius)

Ringneck Snake
(Diadophis punctatus)
(V)

Eastern Indigo Snake
(Drymarchon couperi)

Central American Indigo Snake
(Drymarchon melanurus)

Northern Speckled Racer
(Drymobius margaritiferus)

Mud Snake
(Farancia abacura)

Rainbow Snake
(Farancia erytogramma)

Tamaulipan Hook-Nose Snake
(Ficimia streckeri)

Western Hook-Nose Snake
(Gyalopion canum)

Thornscrub Hook-Nose Snake
(Gyalopion quadrangulare)

Rough Earth Snake
(Haldea striatula)

Mexican Hognose Snake
(Heterodon kennerlyi)

Plains Hognose Snake
(Heterodon nasicus)

Eastern Hognose Snake
(Heterodon platirhinos)
 

 

 

 

Recommended Books at Amazon.com


COLUBRID SNAKES SNAKE PET CARE BOOK     American Snakes     Snakes of the United States and Canada: Natural History and Care in Captivity     Snakes of the Eastern United States


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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
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