What is the general venom characteristic of snakes belonging to the Family Colubridae?
Are generally non-venomous or have mildly venomous saliva not harmful to humans
The Family Colubridae is recognized as the largest snake family, accounting for about two-thirds of all known snake species. A key characteristic used for classification within this group is the nature of their dentition and venom delivery system. Most members of Colubridae are either entirely non-venomous or possess venom glands that produce saliva which may be mildly toxic, but this toxicity is typically not considered dangerous or medically significant to human beings. This contrasts sharply with families known for potent, medically significant venom, such as the Elapidae or Viperidae. Snakes in this family are often characterized by having small teeth directed backward, rather than the large, specialized fangs associated with highly venomous species.
