Lamprophiidae

About the Lamprophiidae family

Lamprophiids are a largely African family that includes the house snakes often found around dwellings, where they hunt rodents, plus wolf snakes and many others. Most are non-venomous or only mildly rear-fanged.

Where they live

Africa, with some species in southern Europe and Asia.

How to recognize one

Variable; many are smooth-scaled, secretive, and active at night.

Danger to people

Mostly harmless. A few are rear-fanged with mild venom of no medical significance.