Dipsadinae is a large subfamily of colubroid

snakes Snakes are elongated, limbless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joi ...

, sometimes referred to as a family (Dipsadidae). They are found in most of the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

, including the

West Indies The West Indies is a subregion of North America, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea that includes 13 independent island countries and 18 dependencies and other territories in three major archipelagos: the Greater A ...

, and are most diverse in South America. There are more than 700 species. Dipsadinae are an ecologically and morphologically diverse group of mostly small to moderate-sized snakes (typically less than in total length). Some are arboreal, but others are aquatic or terrestrial and may even burrow. Most are oviparous. Many eat frogs or lizards, and some consume mammals and birds. Several genera (e.g. '' Adelphicos'', '' Atractus'', ''

Geophis ''Geophis'' is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae of the superfamily Colubroidea. Species in the genus ''Geophis'' are commonly referred to as Latin American earth snakes (Spanish: ''culebra minera'' or ' ...

'', ''

Dipsas ''Dipsas'' is a genus of nonvenomous New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus ''Sibynomorphus'' has been moved here. The genus ''Dipsas'' are as known as snail-eater. Geographic range Species in the genus ...

'', ''

Ninia ''Ninia'' is a genus of snakes, commonly referred to as coffee snakes, in the family Colubridae of the superfamily Colubroidea. The genus consists of 10 species that are native to Mexico, Central America, and the northern part of South America ...

'', '' Sibon'', ''

Sibynomorphus ''Dipsas'' is a genus of nonvenomous New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The genus ''Sibynomorphus'' has been moved here. The genus ''Dipsas'' are as known as snail-eater. Geographic range Species in the genus ...

'', ''

Tropidodipsas ''Tropidodipsas'' is a genus of New World snakes of the family Colubridae. Geographic range Species of the genus ''Tropidodipsas'' are found in Mexico and Central America. Species Ten species are recognized as being valid. * '' Tropidodipsas fa ...

'') are specialized feeders on gooey and slimy prey, such as frog eggs, earthworms, snails, and slugs. Almost all species are completely harmless to humans, although a few genera (e.g. ''

Borikenophis ''Borikenophis'' is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae endemic to the Puerto Rican archipelago and the Virgin Islands. Etymology The genus name comes from ''Borikén'', the Taíno word for Puerto Rico and ''ophis'', Greek for "snake". ...

'', '' Cubophis'', ''

Heterodon ''Heterodon'' is a genus of harmless colubrid snakes endemic to North America.Platt, Dwight R. 1983. Heterodon'. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 351: 1-2. They are stout with up ...

'', ''

Hydrodynastes ''Hydrodynastes'' is a small genus of large colubrid snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae. The genus is endemic to South America. Freiberg M (1982). ''Snakes of South America'' Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. . (''Hydrodynastes'', pp. 78-7 ...

'', ''

Philodryas ''Philodryas'' is a genus of colubrid snakes endemic to South America, commonly called green snakes. Description Species in the genus ''Philodryas'' share the following characters: Head distinct from neck, with distinct ''canthus rostralis''. ...

'') have inflicted painful bites with local, non-life-threatening symptoms.

Synonymy

Some authors refer to part or all of this group as

Xenodontinae Xenodontinae is a subfamily of snakes in the family Colubridae. The subfamily Xenodontinae encompasses a number of rear-fanged (opisthoglyphous), mildly venomous snake genera found in South America and the Caribbean. Members of the subfamily ...

, but if the two names are used synonymously, Dipsadinae is the correct name because it is older. When Xenodontinae is used non-synonymously, it normally refers to the larger and more derived South American-Caribbean subclade containing the genus ''

Xenodon ''Xenodon'' is a genus of New World snakes in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. Geographic range Species of the genus ''Xenodon'' are found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Diet Snakes in the genus ''Xenodon'' pre ...

'' and its relatives, whereas Dipsadinae ''sensu stricto'' is restricted to the smaller and more basal Central American subclade containing the genus ''

'' and its relatives. Also, a third North American group (sometimes called "Carphophiinae") contains nine species in five genera at the base of the Dipsadinae (the "North American relicts" thought to have descended from the ancestors of dipsadines as they crossed from Asia to South America by way of North America; genera ''

'', '' Farancia'', '' Diadophis'', ''

Carphophis ''Carphophis'' (common name worm snakes) is a genus of small colubrid snakes endemic to the United States. The genus consists of two species. Description Worm snakes are small snakes, 35 cm (14 in) or less in total length. They are usu ...

'', and ''

Contia ''Contia'' is a small genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to North America. Etymology The generic name, ''Contia'', is in honor of American entomologist John Lawrence LeConte John Lawrence LeConte (May 13, 1825 � ...

'').

Genera

Within the Dipsadinae, the three major groups/clades or subfamilies are the Central American group ("Dipsadinae" ''sensu stricto''), the South American + Caribbean group ("

"), and a small North American group (sometimes called the "Carphophiinae" or, incorrectly, "Heterodontinae"). In addition, a number of snake genera are likely to be dipsadines based on their morphology and geographic range, but because of the absence of genetic data and information about their closest relatives, they are considered genera''

incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertainty ...

'' and are not currently placed in a subgroup of the Dipsadinae.

Central American clade ("Dipsadinae" ''sensu stricto'')

South American + Caribbean clade ("Xenodontinae")

North American clade ("Carphophiinae")

Genera ''incertae sedis''

Notes

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q143402 Dipsadidae Reptile families Taxa named by Charles Lucien Bonaparte