They are the Indian cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) and the Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus). This creature lived 60 million years … Pit vipers, a type of snake, use special nerve endings in their skin to detect the body heat of prey animals. Sometimes listed as a subfamily in the boa family (Boidae). The largest snake, the reticulated python, can grow to a whopping 30 feet (9 meters). However, the snake has wrecked havoc on the island of Guam, where it is an invasive species. The snakes when threatened get ready to strike to defend themselves. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Snakes are limbless reptiles of the Serpentes suborder, closely related to lizards. Inland Taipan. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world. Snakes have varying body shapes and length depending on the species’ lifestyle and diet. They inhabit all continents with an exception of Antarctica and other small land masses such as New Zealand, Iceland, and Ireland. Antaresia childreni, Children's python. Ten genera and 42 species are currently recognized. The Big Four snakes cause far more snakebites because they are much more abundant in highly populated areas. There are about 375 species of venomous snakes and only a small proportion are harmful to humans. Indian python / Black tailed Python. Boa Constrictor. African burrowing python family (Calabariidae) Sometimes listed as a subfamily of the boa family (Boidae). Although some legless lizards, which have also lost their legs through evolution, look exactly like snakes, they are not species of snakes. With so many different species, there are snakes of many different sizes. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. An especially exciting aspect of this study for Weinell was the ability to name a … They range in size from four inches (Barbados threadsnake) to 393 inches long (reticulated python). The Pythonidae, commonly known as pythons, are a family of nonvenomous snakes found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. The other three families are Anomalepidae (18 species of primitive blind snakes), Gerrhopilidae (18 species), and Xenotyphlopidae which consist of only one species; the round-nosed blind snake of Northern Madagascar. The largest reported mamba was 14.6 feet, although they … The largest family, Typhlopidae, consist of 266 species, mainly the typical blind snakes. It looks much like an earthworm. (1999), which is available online through ITIS ., updated with additional recently described species. These cobras can adapt to a wide area of habitats. It follows the taxonomy of McDiarmid et al. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Which Species Are Most Venomous? There are approximately 3,600 known species of snakes in the world. The snake’s venom is so strong and so voluminous that it can kill an elephant in just a few hours. Other snake species in this infraorder include wart snakes, false coral snakes, splitjaw snakes, pythons, and dragon snakes. Like all reptiles, they are considered tetrapods, meaning four-limbed animals. Antaresia maculosa, spotted python. Variations in colour and pattern can make the tiger snake difficult … Death also results in at least 50 to 60 percent of untreated human cases. Color pictorial laminated boards (hardcover), thick lg folio (14 x 10 3/4 inches). Omissions? Naming new things. Caenophides consist of Colubridae, the largest snake family (51% of all known snakes), vipers, and elapids. These snakes have a cavity on each side of the head located between the nostril and the eye that contain a pit organ. Yakutsk, Russia – The World’s Coldest City, 10 Of The Most Notorious Serial Killers In The World. The monocled cobras are terrestrial snakes that feed on small mammals, snakes, amphibians, and other reptiles. As indicated above, snakes are divided into two main infraorders; Alethinophidia and Scolecophidia. Antaresia perthensis, pygmy python. Infraorder Scolecophidia is made up of five families, mainl… As indicated above, snakes are divided into two main infraorders; Alethinophidia and Scolecophidia. Updates? The following is a list of some of the major genera and species of snake, organized alphabetically by family. Infraorder Scolecophidia is made up of five families, mainly consisting of the blind snakes. Snakes are cold-blooded vertebrates that are found in virtually every environment and type of climate. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (C rotalus atrox) This triangular headed snake can stretch up to … It is also regarded … … However, some evidence indicates that snakes may have originated from some species of lizards including the Varanids in the Cretaceous Period. List of snakes. The venom of the monocled cobra is highly poisonous and is a complex mixture of neurotoxins, cardiotoxins, and myotoxins. How Many Types Of Cobras Are There? It achieves an … Although snakes are common in warm, tropical areas, they have an extremely large global distribution. The Elapidae contains some of the world's most dangerous snakes including cobras (Naja), mambas (Dendroaspis) and sea snakes (Hydophinae and Laticaudinae). Of the 3,400 different species of snakes found throughout the world, only 116 of them are found in the United States, 19 of which are venomous. The species has a very important role in the ecosystem by preying on pests especially rats and mice that we regard as pests.Top 10 Types of Snakes In The World Snakes are one of the fascinating and beautiful animals across the world. They are found in a wide range of habitat and have the ability to move over the land, climb trees, and swim with ease. Notechis scutatus. The world's smallest snake, according to National Geographic, is the thread snake, which grows to only about 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) long. The inland taipan inhabits the semi-arid parts of central east Australia. Other snake species in this infraorder include wart snakes, false coral snakes, splitjaw snakes, pythons, and dragon snakes. , also known as the black-tailed python or the Indian python, is a … The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa and the second longest in the world. A weird “snake” found in Virginia with a half-moon shaped head has been identified not as a reptile, but as a large invasive species of Asian worm. They further belong to class Reptilia where together with the lizards form the order Squamata. Elapids are found worldwide and in Ausralia are the predominant family. Snakes are vertebrates belonging to phylum Chordata. Snake, (suborder Serpentes), also called serpent, any of more than 3,400 species of reptiles distinguished by their limbless condition and greatly elongated body and tail. 591; 1436 color photos. Scolecophidia comprised of about 305 known species while Alethinophidia is made up of over 2,600 species and sometimes split into Henophides and Caenophides. Asian pipe snake family (Cylindrophiidae) bevel-nosed boa family (Candoiidae) blind snake superfamily (Typhlopoidea) boa family (Boidae) African Rock Python. About 70% are oviparous (lay eggs) while the rest are non-oviparous but do not go through the larval stage. However, snakes do not have legs but evolved from four-legged ancestors. Corrections? The only pit vipers found in Connecticut are the northern copperhead and timber rattlesnake. In North America, three species of elapids are found, two species of coral snakes and one sea snake. There are nearly 3,000 species of snakes distributed nearly worldwide. The Boa Constrictor is a very large snake with a very thick body. New content will be added above the current area of focus upon selection The Big Four are the four venomous snake species responsible for causing the most snake bite cases in South Asia (mostly in India). The suborder is further divided into two infraorders; Scolecophidia which comprises mainly of the blind snakes and Alethinophidia which include the non-blind snakes. Alethinophidia is further divided into 19 families Colubridae (the largest with 1,866 species), Elapidae (359 species), Viperidae (341 species), Lamprophiidae (314 species), Boidae (60 species), and Uropeltidae (55 species). Pp. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com. The family Leptotyphlopidae is made up of 139 species, mainly the slender blind snakes. Most snakes live on land, but there are about 70 species of snakes that live in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Antaresia. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Classified with lizards in the order Squamata, snakes represent a lizard that, over the course of evolution, has undergone structural reduction, simplification, and loss as well as specialization. Tiger Snake. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. This is a detailed atlas to the snakes of the world. Santa Catalina Island RattlesnakeThe Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake, or Crotalus catalinensis, is a … Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, African burrowing python family (Calabariidae), Asian pipe snake family (Cylindrophiidae), https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-snakes-2032997. All the modern snakes are grouped into suborder Serpentes. The brown tree snake is venomous, but its venom is not very dangerous to adults. Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species―the first catalogue of its kind―covers all living and fossil snakes described between 1758 and 2012, comprising 3,509 living and 274 extinct species allocated to 539 living and 112 extinct genera.Also included are 54 genera and 302 species that are dubious or invalid, resulting in recognition of 705 genera and 4,085 species. Alethinophidia is further divided into 19 families Colubridae (the largest with 1,866 species), Elapidae (359 species), Viperidae (341 species), Lamprophiidae (314 species), Boidae (60 species), and Uropeltidae (55 species). Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Its bite delivers a tremendous amount of paralysis-inducing neurotoxins. The African rock python, that continent's largest snake, grows up to 20 feet (6 … From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The largest living snakes in the world, measured either … Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The largest snake fossil ever discovered is called the Titanoboa. However, it isn’t … Indian CobraIndian Cobra is also renowned as Asian cobra and Spectacled cobra. The monocled cobra is widespread across Southeast and South Asia. Sometimes listed as a subfamily of the boa family (Boidae). Connecticut are the predominant family of prey animals are agreeing to news offers. They … it follows the taxonomy of McDiarmid et al ( Ophiophagus hannah ) is the longest venomous snake the... Refer to the snakes of many different sizes have varying body shapes and length depending the... Inhabits the semi-arid parts of central east Australia legs but evolved from four-legged ancestors, photos and descriptions... 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