(kŏ-loo′brĭ-dē″ )
[L. coluber, snake, serpent + -idae ]
The largest family of snakes, having more than 300 genera and approx. 2000 species, widely distributed around the world. Most such snakes are nonvenomous and mostly harmless, but a small number with fangs at the rear of their mouths are mildly venomous.