Henophidia is a superfamily

Taxonomic rank

In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...

 of the suborder Serpentes (snake

Snake

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...

s) that contains boas, pythons and other snake

Snake

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...

s. Snakes belonging to superfamily Henophidia are considered to be more primitive than those belonging to the other superfamilies - namely, Typhlopoidea and Xenophidia

Xenophidia

Xenophidia is a superfamily of the suborder Serpentes that contains cobras, vipers, sea snakes and the majority of snake species. Almost all venomous snakes belong to this superfamily...

.

Etymology

Henophidia comes from the Greek heno- meaning one or former and ophidia meaning serpent, so former/older snakes (in contrast to Caenophidia, i.e. recent snakes).

Families

• Aniliidae
  Aniliidae
  The Aniliidae are a monotypic family created for the monotypic genus Anilius that contains the species A. scytale, found in South America. This snake possesses a vestigial pelvic girdle that is visible as a pair of cloacal spurs. It is ovoviviparous. The diet consists mainly of amphibians and...
  
   - coral pipe snakes and pipe snakes.
• Anomochilidae - dwarf pipe snakes.
• Boidae - boas and pythons.
• Bolyeriidae - Round Island boas.
• Cylindrophiidae - Asian pipe snakes.
• Loxocemidae
  Loxocemidae
  The Loxocemidae are a monotypic family of snakes created for the monotypic genus Loxocemus that contains the species L. bicolor found in Central America. Loxocemidae is the smallest snake family, having just one species and one genera. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Being the...
  
   - Mexican burrowing snake.
• Tropidophiidae - dwarf boas.
• Uropeltidae - shield-tailed snakes and short-tail snakes.
• Xenopeltidae
  Xenopeltidae
  The Xenopeltidae are a monotypic family of snakes created to the genus Xenopeltis, which is found in Southeast Asia. Its members are known for their highly iridescent scales. Currently, two species are recognized and no subspecies.-Description:...
  
  - sunbeam snakes.