Elapid Snakes - Biology Of Elapid Snakes, Species Of Elapid Snakes, Elapid Snakes And Humans
subfamily climates elapidae
Elapid snakes are extremely venomous snakes such as cobras, mambas, kraits, tiger snakes, and coral snakes in the family Elapidae. The elapids are about 120 species in the subfamily Elapinae. The sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae) and subfamily Laticaudinae make up the other two subfamilies in the Elapidae. Elapid snakes have a wide distribution from warm temperate climates to tropical climates, and are found on all continents except Antarctica.
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Elapid snakes have teeth on the front part of the upper jaw that are modified as paired fangs to inject venom into their victims. The fangs deliver the venom in much the same way that a hypodermic syringe delivers a drug, i.e., as a subcutaneous injection under pressure through narrow tubes. The fangs of elapid snakes are permanently erect, and when the mouth is closed they are enclosed within a p…
Perhaps the world's most famous species of elapid snake is a subspecies of the Asian cobra (Naja naja) known as the Indian cobra (N. n. naja), which is the serpent that is most often used by snake charmers. Often, the cobra emerges from the urn or sack in which it is kept, and then assumes its warning stance of an erect fore-body and spread hood. In addition, the serpent "dances�…
Species of elapid snakes are among the most feared of the serpents, and each year many people die after being bitten by these animals. This is especially true of certain tropical countries, particularly in India and tropical Asia, and in parts of Africa. For example, thousands of fatal snake bites occur each year in India alone. Wherever elapids and other poisonous snakes occur, there is a tangibl…
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