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Types of Non Venomous Snakes

Non-venomous snakes include all species that have no venom glands with which to inject toxins into their prey. A biologist's definition of "non-venomous" and a layman's differ; species of snakes with teeth too small or venom too weak to cause harm to a large animal cannot harm a human, but it may still produce venom sufficient to immobilize small prey animals. Some technically venomous snakes cannot harm people, while other non-venomous species can kill.

Boas and Pythons
- The green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, holds the record of world's heaviest snake.
  
  Non-venomous constrictors squeeze the life out of their prey. Two families -- Boidae and Pythonidae -- comprise the bulk of the constrictors. The largest snake species, the anaconda, belongs to the boa family; this massive snake can weigh over 200 pounds. Smaller constrictors pose no danger to adult humans, but larger snakes can harm smaller pets and young children. Although these snakes produce no venom, large individuals who feel threatened deliver a powerful bite that can tear skin and even break small bones.
Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes
- Garter snakes are harmless to humans, but not to small fish.
  
  Both garter snakes and ribbon snakes belong to the same family (Colubridae), and they resemble one another. These elegantly striped creatures rarely grow more than a few feet long. Although garter and ribbon snakes pose no threat to humans, many species do produce a mild venom sufficient to immobilize the small rodents, insects and fish that the animals eat. Pet shops stock garter and ribbon snakes because of the non-venomous reptiles' beauty, docility and compact size.
King Snakes
- King snakes not only pose no threat to humans, but they also feed on venomous species if they get the opportunity to do so. These snakes kill via constriction like the boas and pythons, but they share a taxonomic family with the gentler garter snakes and ribbon snakes. Species such as the scarlet king snake and the California king snake bear vivid shades of red, black and yellow; scientists believe that their coloration mimics that of the highly venomous coral snake.
Rat Snakes and Corn Snakes
- As their name implies, rat snakes eat rodents, making them welcome guests in barns and farmyards where rats might otherwise proliferate. These reptiles tend to have docile dispositions and lively coloration, although the dun-colored varieties predominate in some regions. Corn snakes eat no corn, but they do thrive in corn fields where their chosen prey -- rats, mice and young hares -- live. Like their relatives, the king snakes, these non-venomous snakes kill via constriction.
Whip Snakes
- These long, slender members of the Colubridae family get their name from their shape. Whip snakes vary from solid browns and tans to pinkish hues that blend in with the ruddy soils of the species' environment. Patterned species may appear braided or woven, giving them an even closer resemblance to their namesake; these coachwhip snakes live throughout southern portions of North America. Whip snakes have good eyesight and raise their heads to see their surroundings from a better vantage point, giving them the false impression of being an aggressive species rearing up to strike. In reality, these snakes prefer to glide away.

Animals & Science