Colubridae is the snake family containing the greatest number of recognized snake species.
Colubrids are often called colubrid snakes, although the family is extremely diverse and does not share one simple body shape or lifestyle. Its members include harmless species such as grass snakes, kingsnakes and many tree snakes, as well as some rear-fanged venomous species.
The family name comes from the Latin coluber, meaning snake. Older classifications placed many unrelated-looking snakes in Colubridae, so modern genetic research has repeatedly changed its membership and subdivisions. This is why the exact species count can vary between taxonomic sources.
Colubridae should not be confused with Elapidae, which includes cobras and mambas, or Viperidae, which includes vipers and pit vipers. In everyday language, “colubrid” is therefore a broad scientific category rather than a description of one distinctive appearance.