The Family Colubridae is the largest family of snakes, encompassing over 1,800 species found worldwide except in Antarctica. Colubrids are highly diverse in size, habitat, and behavior, ranging from small, harmless snakes to larger, more active hunters. Most are non-venomous, though some possess mild venom used to subdue prey, and they typically feed on insects, amphibians, small mammals, or birds. They exhibit adaptations for climbing, swimming, or burrowing, depending on the species, and reproduce mostly through oviparity (egg-laying). Colubrids play important ecological roles as both predators and prey, helping control populations of rodents and other small animals.