Colubridae

noun

The family Colubridae, which includes the kingsnakes (Lampropeltis spp.), is the largest, most widespread, and diverse family of snakes, with few physical characteristics universal among all species. The family contains 70 percent of the known species of snakes, with more than 1700 species worldwide (Pough et al. 1998). Although some colubrids are dangerously venomous, most are harmless to humans. (Ref. 109948)