Venomous snakes classification

There are about 3200 species of snakes. Approximately 1300 species are venomous. Venomous snakes are usually defined as those which possess venom glands and specialized venom-conducting fangs, which enable then to inflict serious bites upon there victims. In general there are five families of venomous snakes recognized: the Colubridae, which possess small rear fangs; the front-fanged Elapidae and Hydrophidae; and the viper group, which consists of the Viperdae and Crotalidae. Venomous snakes are widespread throughout the world. However they do not occur in several islands, New Zealand, Ireland, Iceland, the Azores and Canaries.

Systematic classification of Venomous snakes in the world

Family	Species	Distribution	Characteristics
Elapidae	Kraits, Cobras, Mambas, Coral snakes	Americas, Africa, Asia, Australasia	Small head, short and fixed fangs.
Viperdae	Viper snakes	Europe, Africa, Asia	Large, flattened triangular head, large grooved fangs on the maxillary bone.
Crotalidae	Rattlesnakes	Americas, Parts of Southeast Asia, Southeast Europe	Similar to the family Viperdae, but they possess heat-sensitive pits on head
Colubridae	Tree snakes	In all parts of the world, except Australasia	Short grooved fangs at rear of upper jaws.
Hydrophidae	Sea snakes	Asia and Australasia	Nostrils dorsally on head, flattened tail.

From: Harris J.B. (1991) In: Snake toxins (Ed Harvey, A.L.)

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