What is Colubrid?
{{Taxobox | name = Colubrids | image = Coluber caspius.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Caspian whipsnake<br/>''[[Coluber caspius|Coluber (Dolichophis) caspius]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | subphylum = [[Vertebrata]] | classis = [[Sauropsid]]a | subclassis = [[Diapsida]] | superordo = [[Lepidosauria]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | infraordo = [[Serpentes]] | familia = '''Colubridae'''}} [[Image:Dispholidus typus.jpg|thumb|A [[boomslang]]]] A '''colubrid''' (from Latin ''coluber'', snake) is a [[snake]] that is a member of the '''Colubridae''' [[family (biology)|family]]. Colubridae is the largest snake family, and includes about two-thirds of all known living snake [[species]]. However, colubrids are ''certainly not a [[Monophyly|natural group]]'', and many are more closely related to other groups, such as [[elapid]]<nowiki/>s, than to each other. This family has classically been a [[wastebasket taxon|dumping ground]] for snakes that do not fit anywhere else. There is on-going [[mitochondrial DNA]] research which will sort out the familial relations within this group.<ref>Lawson R. ''et al'' 2005. Phylogeny of the Colubroidea (Serpentes): new evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear genes. ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' '''37''': 581–601. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790305002472]</ref><ref>Fry, B.G. ''et al'' 2009. Evolution and diversification of the Toxicofera reptile venom system. ''Journal of Proteomics'' '''72''': 127–136. [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391909000360]</ref> A colubrid's body is almost completely covered in scales. Most colubrids are not venomous and are normally harmless. A few groups, such as genus ''[[Boiga]]'', can produce medically significant bites. In addition, the [[Boomslang]] and [[African twig snake]] have both caused human fatalities. The venom-injecting fangs associated with venomous colubrids are almost always in the back of the mouth, in contrast to [[Viperidae|vipers]] and [[elapid]]s. == Selected species == *