Lamprophiidae
Uganda House Snake
HarmlessHormonotus modestus






6 photographs of the Uganda House Snake. © Justin Philbois.
The Uganda House Snake (Hormonotus modestus) is a non-venomous snake in the Lamprophiidae family.
- Family
- Lamprophiidae
About the Uganda House Snake
Hormonotus is a genus of snakes. At present, this genus is monotypic, as there is only one commonly accepted species in it, Hormonotus modestus, commonly known as the Uganda house snake or yellow forest snake. It is widespread in tropical Africa. Its sister taxon is Inyoka swazicus, the Swazi rock snake.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Uganda House Snake
- Is the Uganda House Snake venomous?
- No. The Uganda House Snake (Hormonotus modestus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Uganda House Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Uganda House Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Uganda House Snake dangerous?
- The Uganda House Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
More Lamprophiidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Lamprophiidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Hormonotus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Hormonotus modestus
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.







