III. Family Colubridae

This is the largest family of the order Squamata. The species show great variation in colour, form and habit and habitat. Snakes of this family are categorized as advanced snakes as none of the species possess rudiment of hind limbs or any other features as seen in primitive snakes. The body is slender and covered with smooth or keeled scales. The head is covered with large scales and eyes are large with round pupil. The skeletal system of these snakes show adoptions essential for their survival such as jaws do not possess coronoid bones and the supra temporal bones are not attached to the skull.

All snakes of this family are non-poisonous and are considered harmless but few of them can be regarded as dangerous snakes. This family has terrestrial as well as aquatic species, that inhabit a variety of habitats. Most of them are nocturnal in habit and feed on small lizards, mice, and rats, frogs, small fishes and young birds. All species are oviparous and no brooding behaviour has been seen in them.

Snakes of this family are widely distributed throughout the world and are found in all continents except Antarctica. In Pakistan, 14 genera and 32 species of this family are found. These are as follows: