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Venomous snake facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Dendroaspis viridisPCCA20051227-1885B
Western green mamba, Dendroaspis viridis, a venomous elapid.

A venomous snake is a snake that uses venom (poison) on prey to stop them and for self-defense.

Families

Over 600 species are known to be venomous -- about a quarter of all snake species.

Family Description
Atractaspididae (Atractaspidids) Burrowing asp, Mole viper, Stiletto snake.
Colubridae (Colubrids) Most are harmless, but others have toxic saliva and at least five species, including the Boomslang (Dispholidus typus), have caused human fatalities.
Elapidae (Elapids) Cobra, Coral snake, Krait, Mamba, Sea snake, Sea krait and Australian elapid.
Viperidae (Viperids) True viper and Pit viper, including Rattlesnake and Albany Adder.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Serpiente venenosa para niños

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Venomous snake Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.