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NORTH
AMERICA
North
America is
home to several hundred different
snake species. The most commonly
found species within North America
are in the Colubrid family, the
most widespread of all snake species
worldwide.
Snakes in North
America range as far North as
Southern Alaska. Many species
are found throughout each State
including the Canadian provinces.
Listed
below are detailed fact sheets
and photographs of the North American
Snake species. If we are missing
a species in the list below please
be sure to contact us.
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| Colubridae
/ Colubrids (103 Species) |
A Colubrid 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. 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, Coluber
and Rhabdophis, can produce medically
significant bites. In addition,
the Boomslang and African Twig Snake
have both caused human fatalities.The
venom-injecting fangs associated
with venomous colubrids are almost
always in the back of the mouth,
compared to vipers and elapids.
In North America, all snake species
in the colubridae
family are generally harmless to
humans. Please note: This list does
not currently include sub-species.
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| Elapidae/
Elapids (Venomous) |
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The cobra
family is thought to have evolved from
Colubrid snakes and many appear very similar
in appearance with long, slender bodies
and large scales (plates) on the head.
They differ in having more advanced venom
delivery systems than the venomous Colubrids.
Elapids have fangs that are "effectively
tubular" in that the fangs contain
grooves that are enclosed by an infolding
of the edges. The fangs are in the front
of the mouth rather than the rear as is
seen in venomous Colubrids. The Elapidae
contains some of the world's most dangerous
snakes including cobras (Naja), mambas
(Dendroaspis) and sea snakes (Hydophinae
and Laticaudinae). Elapids are found worldwide
and in Ausralia are the predominant family.
In North America, three species of elapids
are found, two species of coral snakes
and one sea snake. The coral snakes are
relatively small snakes that spend most
of their time underground. Their primary
food is other snakes. Despite their small
size and small fangs, their venom is extremely
toxic.
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| Viperidae
/ Vipers (Venomous) |
| The vipers are
generally considered to be the most advanced
family of snakes since they possess a very
sophisticated venom delivery system. Large
tubular fangs are placed in the front of
the mouth and they are hinged, allowing
them to be folded back when not in use.
Their heads are covered with numerous small
scales and their eyes have vertically eliptical
pupils. All the vipers found in North America
are in the subfamily of pit vipers (Crotalinae)
having a pair of heat sensing pits located
between each eye and nostril. The rattlesnakes
are a truly American family of pit vipers
since they are not found in the Old World
and all but two species are found in the
U.S. or Mexico. They are divided between
two genera based on their head scales. Members
of the genus Crotalus have numerous small
scales on their heads while members of the
genus Sistrurus have large scales (plates)
on their heads. |
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North
American Snakes
North America is a vast
land of several different climates. The
land is home to well over one hundred
different snake species ranging as far
north as Alaska. Snakes are generally
common in most US States and Canadian
provinces with exception to some of Canada's
Northern Territories. In Mexico, snakes
are quite abundant throughout most of
the country.
North
American Snake Forum
Visit our North American
Snake forum for discussion on all North
American snake species including Care,
Field Herping, and general knowledge and
discussion on the species from this area.
North
American Snake Enthusiast Forum - Click
Here
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