Yellow-bellied House Snake

About the Yellow-bellied House Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Yellow-bellied House Snake

Is the Yellow-bellied House Snake venomous?

No. The Yellow-bellied House Snake (Lamprophis fuscus) 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 Yellow-bellied House Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Yellow-bellied House Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Yellow-bellied House Snake dangerous?

The Yellow-bellied House Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Yellow-bellied House Snake live?

The Yellow-bellied House Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including South Africa, Eswatini. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Lamprophiidae snakes

• 
  Aurora House Snake
  Lamprophis aurora
• 
  Fisk's House Snake
  Lamprophis fiskii
• 
  Cape House Snake
  Boaedon capensis
• 
  Common Brown Water Snake
  Lycodonomorphus rufulus
• 
  Cape Wolf Snake
  Lycophidion capense
• 
  Brown House Snake
  Boaedon fuliginosus
• 
  Black File Snake
  Gracililima nyassae
• 
  Bug-Eyed House Snake
  Boaedon mentalis

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

Lamprophis

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Lamprophis fuscus

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.