The difference between difference between types of snakes

I have looked into rat and corn snakes and they are considered constrictors the same as pythons, boas, and annaconda's. What exactly is the difference between them other than size and how they look if they all kill by the same means?

They're all different species...?

Different CLASSIFICATIONS not species. There are five classifications of snakes: Boas, pythons, colubrids, vipers, elapids(cobras, coral snakes).

Every snake in the world falls into one of these classifications. Anacondas are a type of boa. And a lot of snake that have the word "snake" in it, like rat snakes, king snakes, milk snakes.. are colubrids.


Vipers and elapids are the only 2 classifications of venomous snakes, all venomous snakes are either a viper or an elapid.

I think what what we are looking for is how they are broken down.

Don't remember the exact number but I think it's like 85-95% of the world's snakes are constrictors so the breakdown I believe you may be looking for goes something like this:

Never mind, Trackstrong beat me to it.




Sidenote/question: Aren't some venomous snakes considered colubrids?

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Originally Posted by Pyrate81

Sidenote/question: Aren't some venomous snakes considered colubrids?

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Yes, there are many rear-fanged venomous snakes that are colubrids. I believe the main difference between Elapids and Vipers is that the Elapids have fixed fangs and the Vipers fangs fold back.

There are somewhere around 18 or so families of snakes depending on which taxonimist you talk to.

To be even more general, it also has to do with how the snake feeds. There are three methods; constriction, venom, and bite and swallow.

As has already been stated, most do use constriction as a from of feeding. There are some though, that just bite and swallow their prey alive.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pyrate81

I think what what we are looking for is how they are broken down.

Don't remember the exact number but I think it's like 85-95% of the world's snakes are constrictors so the breakdown I believe you may be looking for goes something like this:

Never mind, Trackstrong beat me to it.




Sidenote/question: Aren't some venomous snakes considered colubrids?

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Two thirds of all snakes are colubrids. Colubridae is the great taxonomic dumping ground for snakes. Unclassified snakes are often moved into this family only to be moved to another one further down the road as they are studied in greater detail.

For example, rhamphiophis are a genus of colubrid that will probably moved to elapidae in our lifetime, even though they are rear fanged.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Yes, there are many rear-fanged venomous snakes that are colubrids.

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Oh yes forgot about these, but almost all of these snakes are non lethal to humans correct? Like hognoses and vine snakes, both are rear fanged and TECHNICALLY venomous, but if you were bitten there may be some irritation, but non lethal to humans correct? I'm not 100% sure.

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Originally Posted by Erndogg

To be even more general, it also has to do with how the snake feeds. There are three methods; constriction, venom, and bite and swallow.

As has already been stated, most do use constriction as a from of feeding. There are some though, that just bite and swallow their prey alive.

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Exactly, hognoses and racers are two of the bite and swallow variety.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Erndogg

To be even more general, it also has to do with how the snake feeds. There are three methods; constriction, venom, and bite and swallow.

As has already been stated, most do use constriction as a from of feeding. There are some though, that just bite and swallow their prey alive.

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Like hognoses, it's so weird to watch them eat :rolleye2:
Lol