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Aniliidae
snake family
Aniliidae, family of harmless burrowing snakes with primitive features such as a vestigial pelvic girdle, an external claw on each side of the anal opening, and two lungs. The false coral snake (Anilius scytale), the family’s only living member, is South American. It has red and black rings, grows to 75 cm (30 inches), and eats other snakes and lizards.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
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