Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Taxa

Viperidae

Reptile Families

Viperidae, commonly called vipers, is a family of snakes found in most parts of the world except Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, Ireland and various isolated islands. All members possess venom and distinctive hinged fangs suited for deep envenomation of prey, and the family currently comprises three recognized subfamilies. Scientists believe the earliest vipers diverged during the early Eocene.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Family 1
Scientific Name
Viperidae 1
Geographic Distribution
Viperid snakes are found in the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, and South Asia. 1
Defining Characteristics
All vipers are venomous, and have long, hinged fangs that permit deep envenomation of their prey. 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Almost all vipers have keeled scales, a stocky build with a short tail, and a triangle-shaped head distinct from the neck, owing to the location of the venom glands. 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Cottonmouth, Species
Source Wikidata: Cottonmouth
Eastern Copperhead, Species
Source Wikidata: Eastern Copperhead
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

South Asia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Viper (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead section, first sentence
    Vipers ( VEYE-pər) are snakes in the family Viperidae ( veye-PERR-ih-day), found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, Ireland, and various other isolated islands.
  • Lead section, second sentence
    All vipers are venomous, and have long (relative to non-vipers), hinged fangs that permit deep envenomation of their prey.
  • Description section, second paragraph
    Almost all vipers have keeled scales, a stocky build with a short tail, and a triangle-shaped head distinct from the neck, owing to the location of the venom glands.
  • Geographic range section, first sentence
    Viperid snakes are found in the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, and South Asia.
  • In Group: Snake Families (Serpentes), Lead
    Vipers ( VEYE-pər) are snakes in the family Viperidae ( veye-PERR-ih-day), found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, Ireland, and various other isolated islands.
View the Source
2. Viper (Wikipedia)
Three subfamilies are currently recognizedView the Source
Wikidata: Viperidae
Wikidata Q163656, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Wikidata: Eastern Copperhead
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Eastern Copperhead, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Wikidata: Cottonmouth
WikidataParent Taxon Of: Cottonmouth, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.