Xenodermidae is a family of snakes native to East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. All species in the family Xenodermidae are small or moderately sized snakes, never more than but typically less than in total length (including tail). They are secretive, probably
nocturnal
Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite.
Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...
, and typically inhabit moist forest habitats. They seem to be opportunistic carnivores, preying on other vertebrates.
The correct spelling of the family name is Xenodermidae, not "Xenodermatidae".
Taxonomy and systematics
Xenodermidae have a basal position in the colubroid radiation. However, their exact position is not yet settled, e.g., that they might be the sister taxon of the rest of Colubroidea, or that their sister taxon is
Acrochordidae
The Acrochordidae, commonly known as wart snakes, Java wart snakes, file snakes, elephant trunk snakes, or dogface snakes are a monogeneric family created for the genus ''Acrochordus''. This is a group of basal aquatic snakes found in Australia a ...
, and that these two families together form a
clade
A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...
that is the sister taxon for the Colubroidea.
Genera
The family consists of the following 6
genera
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
:
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Achalinus
''Achalinus'' (common name: odd-scaled snakes) is a genus of harmless snakes in the family Xenodermidae. They are found in Japan, Taiwan, China, and northern Vietnam. Ten species are currently recognized. ''Achalinus'' was previously placed in C ...
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Fimbrios
''Fimbrios'' is a genus of snakes of the family Xenodermidae.
Geographic range
The genus ''Fimbrios'' is endemic to Southeast Asia.
Species
The following two species are recognized as being valid.
*'' Fimbrios klossi'' – Cambodia, Laos, Vie ...
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Parafimbrios
''Parafimbrios'' is a genus of snakes belonging to the family Xenodermatidae
Xenodermidae is a family of snakes native to East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. All species in the family Xenodermidae are small or moderately sized snakes, ne ...
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Paraxenodermus
''Paraxenodermus borneensis'' (common names: Borneo red snake, Stolickza's stream snake) is a species of snake in the family Xenodermatidae. It is endemic to Borneo and known from Sabah, Sarawak (Malaysia), and West and Central Kalimantan (Indone ...
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Stoliczkia
''Stoliczkia'' is a genus of snakes in the family Xenodermidae. The genus contains two species, both from India.
Etymology
The genus is named after Ferdinand Stoliczka, Moravian-born zoologist who later worked for the Geological Survey of India ...
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Xenodermus
''Xenodermus javanicus'', also known as the dragon snake, Javan tubercle snake, Javan mudsnake, or rough-backed litter snake, is a small non-venomous, semi-fossorial snake species belonging to the monotypic genus ''Xenodermus''. This species is b ...