Kingdom Animalia Infraorder Alethinophidia Higher classification Scaled reptiles Order Scaled reptiles | Suborder Serpentes Phylum Chordata Rank Family | |
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Similar Pseudoxenodontidae, Pareatinae, Reptile, Lamprophiidae, Scaled reptiles | ||
Xenodermatidae is a family of snakes from South, Southeast, and East Asia. They are small or moderately sized snakes, never more than 80 cm (31 in) but typically less than 55 cm (22 in) in total length. They are secretive, probably nocturnal, and typically inhabit moist forest habitats. They seem to be opportunistic carnivores, preying on other vertebrates.
Contents
It is argued that the correct spelling of the family name is Xenodermidae, but, as of early 2016, the Reptile Database continues to use Xenodermatidae.
Taxonomy and systematics
Xenodermatidae have a basal position in the colubroid radiation. However, their exact position is not yet settled, e.g., they might be the sister taxon of the rest of Colubroidea, or that their sister taxon is Acrochordidae, and that these two families together form a clade that is the sister taxon for the Colubroidea.
Genera
The family consists of the following six genera: