The Family Bolyeriidae consists of a small group of rear-fanged snakes endemic to Mauritius and nearby islands. These snakes are notable for their split maxilla, which allows independent movement of the upper jaw bones—a unique adaptation among snakes that may aid in capturing slippery prey. Members of this family are generally small to medium-sized, terrestrial, and feed on lizards, small mammals, and invertebrates. Bolyeriidae are considered critically endangered due to habitat loss, invasive species, and limited geographic range, making them a focus of conservation efforts and studies on island endemism and evolutionary specialization.