Questions from Cody.

[Voodoo]

So, the boy toy has finally started asking questions that I can't answer, hehe. I figured y'all could.

1) What's the difference between Boids and Colubrids? And what makes snakes fit into these categories?

2) Are all snakes that are non-venomous (other than egg-eaters) constrictors?

Danke.
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[Dr.Oviparous]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> What's the difference between Boids and Colubrids? And what makes snakes fit into these categories? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE> A vesticular lung is the difference.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Are all snakes that are non-venomous (other than egg-eaters) constrictors? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE> Not sure why oviparous (egg laying) species is a factor here. Even non-venomous oviparous snakes are constrictors, like Pythons, Kings, Corns. Ovoviviparous (non egg laying reptiles) like Dumerils and B.C species are also constrictors. -Juggalo
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[Voodoo]

Egg EATERS. Not egg LAYERS. Egg eaters swallow eggs and don't constrict, so... y'know. That makes them not-constrictors.

So, vesticular lung means only one functioning lung? Is that Boids or Colubrids?
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[ls1grrrl]

&gt;&gt;So, vesticular lung means only one functioning lung? Is that Boids or Colubrids?

Boids have 2 fully functional lungs.
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[JuliusSqueezer]

Boids are boas and pythons (anacondas are boas) The difference between them and colubrids is boids still have 2 fully developed lungs and they have a pelvis with remnants of hind legs still apparent (anal spurs) ..colubrids are newer and more evolved, streamlined and in most cases much faster moving. They only have one developed lung, no pelvis and no spurs. By far, colubrids make up the vast majority of snake species on the planet.

Also...No boid is venomous...there are several species of rear fanged venomous colubrids.
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[JuliusSqueezer]

And no...not all non-vens constrict. Garters, racers, indigos, many of the tiny little bug eaters, hognosedsnakes etc etc etc...do not constrict.

Oh...and the word is vestigial...it means not fully developed.


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[Ed_r]

Plus the tree snakes that eat lizards and frogs just strike in start to swallow.
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As do water snakes, they're just grab and swallow...
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[JuliusSqueezer]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>Plus the tree snakes that eat lizards and frogs just strike in start to swallow.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
not to be confused with tree boas and tree pythons....they are indeed boids as well as constrictors
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[Voodoo]

Ah ha! Classification's not as simple as I thought it was, hehe.

Thanks! Now Cody understands, too.
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[Dr.Oviparous]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Egg EATERS. Not egg LAYERS </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE> OH.... lol. That makes more sense. *Juggalo smacks himself upside the head*
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