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What is the Scientific Name of Snake?

Last Updated : 21 Nov, 2023
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The scientific name of the Snake is “Serpentes” which belongs to the “Animalia kingdom”. They are basically without limbs and are carnivorous reptiles. Over 520 genera and 3,500 species of snakes can be found worldwide except for Antarctica, a few small islands, and a few larger ones like the islands of New Zealand, Ireland, and Iceland. Many of the snake species have their skulls, and several snake species can swallow prey that is significantly larger than their heads (a process known as cranial kinesis). In Hindi we called it “Saap”.

Scientific Name of Snake

The Scientific name of the snake is “Serpentes”. Even the subspecies names for snakes have unique scientific names, like Lampropeltis getula Californae, which is the scientific name for the “California kingsnake”. Lampropeltis is a genus that includes kingsnakes and milksnakes. Currently, recognized are roughly thirty families, with about 520 genera and 3,500 species of snakes. If we talk about the length of snakes, small snakes are a few inches long like the Brahminy Blind Snake, and large snakes can grow to impressive lengths up to 20 feet like the Green Anaconda.

Scientific Names of the Snake Species

Some of the species of snake are given below with their scientific names:

Species

Scientific Name

Ball Python

Python regius

King Cobra

Ophiophagus Hannah

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Green Anaconda

Eunectes murinus

Rattlesnake (Western Diamondback)

Crotalus atrox

Indian Python

Python molurus

Black Mamba

Dendroaspis polylepis

Coral Snake (Eastern Coral Snake)

Micrurus fulvius

Venomous Snake

Snakes classified as venomous have specific glands that can produce venom, which they can inject into their victims using their fangs. This poison helps to either kill the victim or injure the victim. Common venomous snakes include the families Elapidae, Viperidae, Atractaspididae, and some of the Colubridae.
Some of the common venomous snakes list are given below:

  • Indian Cobra (Naja naja)
  • Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)
  • Rattlesnake (Crotalus spp.)
  • Red Coral Snake (Micrurus mipartitus)
  • Cape Cobra (Naja nivea)

Non-Venomous snake

A snake species that doesn’t have venom or produces venom that is safe for people to handle it. Non-venomous snakes lack specialized glands for generating toxins, in contrast to venomous snakes. Although they have fangs, non-venomous snakes mostly employ them to catch and hold prey.
Some of the common non-venomous snakes listed are given below:

  • Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
  • Ball Python (Python regius)
  • Rat Snake (Elaphe obsolete)
  • California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae)
  • Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

Taxonomy of Snake

Snakes are scaled reptiles that belong to the class “Reptilia” and order “Squamata”. They are in a large group of reptiles that have developed most recently are snakes. , The taxonomy of snakes involves their classification into various hierarchical levels based on evolutionary relationships.
So, some of the relations are given below:

Scientific Name

Serpentes

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Viperidae

Elapidae

Colubridae.

Characteristics of Snake

The following characteristics of a Snake are given below:

  1. They are a reptile.
  2. They migrate by crawling.
  3. Its body is very slippery.
  4. It has very strong poison.
  5. They have eyes without eyelids.
  6. The jungles are just a home for them.
  7. It leaves its skin from time to time and gets new skin.
  8. They can also climb trees.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat of Snake

Most species of reptiles are found in the temperate and tropical regions of Earth, with the majority of them living in the latitudes between 30° North and 30° South. Snakes can be found worldwide except for Antarctica, a few small islands, and a few larger ones like the islands of New Zealand, Ireland, and Iceland. Even, They are mostly found in wetlands, rocks, forests, plains, and in multiple ecosystems. Whereas, In Sub-Saharan Africa, the public health issue of snakebites is common here. Although, clinical cases of snakebite have been reported in Ethiopia.

FAQs on the Scientific Name of Snake

1. What is the Scientific Name of a Snake?

“Serpentes” is the Scientific name of the snake and belongs to the “Animalia kingdom”.Even, the subspecies names for snakes have unique scientific names. Over 520 genera and 3,500 species of snakes can be found worldwide like, Lampropeltis getula Californae, which is the scientific name for the “California kingsnake”. Lampropeltis is a genus that includes kingsnakes and milksnakes.

2. How many families of snake are currently recognized?

30 families of snake are currently recognized, with about 520 genera and 3,500 species of snakes. If we talk about the length of snakes, small snakes are a few inches long like the Brahminy Blind Snake, and large snakes can grow to impressive lengths up to 20 feet like the Green Anaconda.

3. Which “Class” and “Order” snakes belongs to?

Snakes belongs to the “Order” Squamata and the “Class” Reptilia. Many snake species are included in this categorization, such as the kingsnake and milksnake belonging to the Lampropeltis genus. In general, snakes within the class Reptilian display immense diversity.

4. Name some of the scientific name of snake species?

Some of the species of snake are given below with their scientific names:

  • Ball Python: Python regius
  • King Cobra: Ophiophagus Hannah
  • Common Garter Snake: Thamnophis sirtalis
  • Green Anaconda: Eunectes murinus
  • Rattlesnake (Western Diamondback): Crotalus atrox

5. Name some species of non-venomous snakes.

Some of the common non-venomous snakes list are given below:

  • Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
  • Ball Python (Python regius)
  • Rat Snake (Elaphe obsolete)
  • California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae)


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