Snakes of the United States

There are 5 groups of snakes found in the United States. They range through all of the states, including Alaska! They are as follows:

Colubrids

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 Australia.

Viperidae

Snakes of the family Viperidae, commonly called vipers, are found only in the eastern hemisphere and are absent from Australia. Typically, the snakes of this family are rather stout-bodied terrestrial reptiles, though some have taken to subterranean habits and others live in trees. The colors and patterns of some of the species are positively gorgeous.

Elapidae

Some of the world's most infamous snakes belong to the family Elapidae - the group which includes caobras and mambas. Elapid snakes, as they are called, are found on all the continental land masses except Europe. In Australia, they predominate over other kinds, and that cntinent is the only one which has more venomous species than non-venomous species.

Boadis

The Boas of the United States appear as pygmies when compared with the larger forms of the tropics. They are stout-bodied, blunt-tailed snakes which seldom exceed two feet in length.

Leptotyphlopidae

The blind snakes are mostly tropical snakes, but have a few representatives in the United States. They are diminative burrowing reptiles that are confined to the southcentral and southwestern portions of the continent. They are commonly 12 to 15 inches long, brownish or even pink in color, with degenerated eyes that have all but lost their function. Ants and their pupae, as well as termites, make up the bulk of the diet of these snakes.