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==Evolution and Taxonomy==
==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.
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.
[[Image:Royal_python.jpg|thumb|right|300px|'''Royal python, ''Python regius'''''Photo credit: Claire Porteous]]
==Common species==
Snakes commonly presented in practice are non-venomous and come from two diverse families - Colubridae and Boidae.
Colubrids are the largest family of snakes. Common examples include milksnakes, kingsnakes, rat snakes, corn snakes and garter snakes. All are rodent eaters in captivity and oviparous except for garter snakes that eat fish and invertebrates and are viviparous.
Boids include boas and pythons. Boas are viviparous and have single, undivided subcaudal scales. Pythons are oviparous and generally have divided subcaudal scales. Common pets include boa constrictors, royal pythons (known as ball pythons in North America) and Burmese pythons.
==Identification of common species==
Identification can be difficult, given the range of species. However, these are the most common snakes you are likely to see in practice.
*Kingsnake
*Garter snake
*Corn snake
*Milk snake
*Rat snake
*Boa constrictor
*Burmese python
*Royal python
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| '''Primitive Snakes'''
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| '''Primitive Snakes'''
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anomalepididae
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Anomalepididae
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Blind snakes
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Blind snakes
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Slender blind snakes
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| Slender blind snakes
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 2
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| 2
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|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| '''Advanced Snakes'''
|bgcolor="#FFFFCC"| '''Advanced Snakes'''