Snake Taxonomy

Introduction

Snakes are the most recently evolved group of reptiles and have numerous specialisations that distinguish them from other squamates (scaled reptiles). Their musculoskeletal system is adapted for creeping, burrowing, swimming and gliding. Chemo and thermoreceptors are a key feature in their methods of predation, in addition to extreme cranial kinesis and, in some species, deadly venoms.

Evolution and Taxonomy

Snakes are members of the class Reptilia and order Squamata (scaled reptiles). Squamata is made up of the suborders Serpentes (snakes) and Sauria (lizards). Snakes are the most recently evolved group of reptiles. Their fossil record is limited due to their fragile skeletons, however recent discoveries of early fossil snakes with posterior legs has generated debate about the origins of their evolution.

	Family		Genera
Primitive Snakes	Anomalepididae	Blind snakes	4
Infraorder	Typhlopidae	Blind worm snakes	3
Scolecophidia	Leptotyphlopidae	Slender blind snakes	2
Advanced Snakes
Infraorder	Acrochordidae	File snakes	1
Alethinophidia	Aniliidae	Coral pipe snakes	1
	Atractaspididae	Mole vipers	1
	Boidae	Boas and pythons	23
	Bolyeriidae	Round Island ‘boas’	2
	Colubridae	Advanced snakes	303
	Elapidae	Cobras, kraits and sea snakes	60
	Loxocemidae	Mexican burrowing pythons	1
	Uropeltidae	Short-tail snakes	10
	Viperidae	Vipers	28
	Xenopeltidae	Sunbeam snake	1