Key to Families of Snakes

Choose the description that best fits the animal of interest. If none fit go back to step one.

• A.     Rubbery-looking snake, blunt tail, eyes small with vertical pupil, only found in British Columbia.
• Boidae (Boas and Pythons)
  Only one species in Canada: Charina bottae (Rubber Boa)
• B.     Rattlesnakes, head wider than neck, eye with vertical pupil, tail with rattle of one or more buttons.
• Viperidae (Pit Vipers)
• C.     All snakes but the Rubber Boa and rattlesnakes.
• Colubridae (Colubrids)
  
  NOTE: Based on genetic and behavioural data, the Colubridae have been split into several families .These are:
  Colubridae - Harmless egg-laying snakes
  Natricidae - Harmless live-bearing snakes
  Dipsadidae - Slender Rear-fanged snakes
  Xenodontidae - Robust Rear-fanged snakes
  Theses names are included on the identification pages and species descriptions