Xenodontinae is a subfamily of snakes in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Colubridae. The subfamily Xenodontinae encompasses a number of rear-fanged (

opisthoglyphous A snake skeleton consists primarily of the skull, vertebrae, and ribs, with only vestigial remnants of the limbs. Skull The skull of a snake is a very complex structure, with numerous joints to allow the snake to swallow prey far larger than it ...

), mildly venomous snake genera found in South America and the Caribbean. Members of the subfamily Xenodontinae are by definition closer relatives to 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 ...

'' than they are to the genus ''

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 ...

''. Some authors consider Xenodontinae and

Dipsadinae Dipsadinae is a large subfamily of colubroid snakes, sometimes referred to as a family (Dipsadidae). They are found in most of the Americas, including the West Indies, and are most diverse in South America. There are more than 700 species. Dips ...

to be synonymous. If the two names are used synonymously, then Dipsadinae is the correct name because it is older.

Genera

When used as a subfamily of Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae does not include genera placed in the subfamily Dipsadinae (e.g. ''

'', '' Sibon'', ''

Coniophanes ''Coniophanes'' is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly referred to as black-striped snakes, but they also have many other common names. The genus consists of 17 species, and despite the common name, not all of them display striping. Geographi ...

'', '' 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 ' ...

'', ''

Hypsiglena ''Hypsiglena'' is a genus of small, rear-fanged, colubrid snakes commonly referred to as night snakes. The genus consists of nine species, and subspecies have been maintained pending further investigation.Mulcahy DG, Martínez-Gómez JE, Aguir ...

'', '' Imantodes'', ''

Leptodeira ''Leptodeira'' is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly referred to as cat-eyed snakes. The genus consists of 17 species that are native to primarily Mexico and Central America, but range as far north as the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas in Uni ...

'', ''

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 ...

'', ''

Rhadinaea ''Rhadinaea'' is a genus of snakes of the family Colubridae.. Species The following 21 species are recognized as being valid. *'' Rhadinaea bogertorum'' *'' Rhadinaea calligaster'' *'' Rhadinaea cuneata'' *'' Rhadinaea decorata'' *'' Rhadin ...

'', ''

Urotheca ''Urotheca'' is a genus of snakes of the Family (biology), family Colubridae. The genus is Endemism, endemic to the New World.. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Urotheca'' are found in Central America and northwestern South America. Spec ...

'') nor the North American relict genera (''

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 ...

'', '' 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 ...

'', ''

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 � ...

''), nor the Asian genus ''

Thermophis ''Thermophis'' is a genus of snakes in the family Colubridae. The genus is endemic to China. Species The genus includes three species: www.reptile-database.org. * '' Thermophis baileyi'' (Wall A wall is a structure and a surface that ...

'', because these are too distantly-related to ''

''.

References

Tetrapod subfamilies Dipsadidae {{Colubrids-stub