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AtractaspididaeSnake subfamiliesTaxa named by Albert Günther

Atractaspididae

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A small, dark brown snake called Atractaspis engaddensis, safely housed in a zoo terrarium for educational display.

The Atractaspididae, also known as atractaspidids, are a special group of venomous snakes. These snakes live in Africa and the Middle East. They are often called mole vipers, stiletto snakes, or burrowing asps because they spend much of their time underground.

Scientists currently recognize 12 different groups, or genera, within this family. These snakes are interesting because of their unique ways of hunting and surviving in their environments. Their venom and behaviors help them catch prey and protect themselves in the wild. Studying these snakes helps us understand more about the natural world and how animals adapt to different places.

Description

This family of snakes includes many different types, based on the kind of fangs they have. Some have no fangs, some have fangs only at the back, some have fixed fangs at the front, and others have viper-like fangs. Scientists have had a hard time figuring out where this family belongs because early studies gave mixed results. The family Atractaspididae has been grouped with other snake families and then separated again, making its classification unclear.

Geographic range

These snakes live in Africa and the Middle East. They are known for their burrowing habits, which help them stay hidden and hunt for food.

Venom

Many of these snakes are too small to harm a person, but some can cause serious damage with their bites, which can be very painful. Although very few people have died from their bites, some larger snakes can be dangerous. Certain species can even stab with their fangs while their mouths are closed, making them particularly tricky to handle safely.

Genera

The Atractaspididae family includes twelve different groups, or genera, of snakes. These snakes are known for their burrowing lifestyles and are often called mole vipers, stiletto snakes, or burrowing asps. They live in parts of Africa and the Middle East and are all venomous.

Subfamily Atractaspidinae -- 13 Genera
GenusTaxon authorSpecies
Count		Common nameGeographic range
AmblyodipsasW. Peters, 18579glossy snakesAfrica
AparallactusA. Smith, 184911centipede-eatersAfrica
AtractaspisA. Smith, 184915burrowing asps, stiletto snakesAfrica, Middle-East
BrachyophisMocquard, 18881Revoil's short snakeAfrica
ChilorhinophisF. Werner, 19073Africa
HypoptophisBoulenger, 19081African bighead snakeAfrica
HomoroselapsJan, 18582harlequin snakesSouthern Africa
MacrelapsBoulenger, 18961Natal black snakeAfrica
MicrelapsBoettger, 18804two-headed snakesAfrica, Middle-East
PoecilopholisBoulenger, 19031Cameroon racerAfrica
PolemonJan, 185813snake-eatersAfrica
XenocalamusGünther, 18685quill-snouted snakesAfrica

Taxonomy

This family of snakes was previously classified as a subfamily of the Colubridae. It is now recognized as its own family.

Images

Eastern purple-glossed snake (Amblyodipsas microphthalma) – a species found in South Africa.
A Cape Centipede-Eater, a small snake species found in Africa, shown in its natural habitat.
A Southern Stiletto Snake photographed in its natural habitat in South Africa.
A close-up of a Homoroselaps lacteus snake, a species found in South Africa.
A close-up of a Macrelaps microlepidotus snake, also known as the Natal green snake, found in South Africa.
A small snake called Micrelaps muelleri, found in Northern Israel. This image shows the animal in its natural habitat.
A Slender Quill-snouted Snake (Xenocalamus bicolor), a species found in Africa, shown in its natural habitat.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Atractaspididae, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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