The family Xenopeltidae, commonly known as sunbeam snakes, belongs to the order Squamata. These non-venomous snakes are native to Southeast Asia and are renowned for their striking iridescent scales, which reflect light in a rainbow-like sheen. They are relatively small to medium-sized, fossorial (burrowing) snakes that primarily feed on small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and rodents. Sunbeam snakes are generally secretive and nocturnal, spending much of their time underground or hidden in leaf litter. Despite their dazzling appearance, they are non-aggressive and rarely encountered in the wild, making them a unique and visually captivating member of the snake world.