African House Snakes: Beginner-Friendly and Beautiful - A Care & Breeding Guide for African House Sn

The genus Lamprophis includes several non-venomous, colubrid snakes native to sub-Saharan Africa. Commonly known as African House Snakes, they are small to medium in size and are known for their docile nature, adaptability to captivity, and hardiness, making them popular among both beginner and advanced snake keepers.
Historically, Lamprophis was a broad genus, but taxonomic revisions have led to the reclassification of some species into other genera such as Boaedon. For instance, the species commonly kept in captivity, once called Lamprophis fuliginosus, is now classified as Boaedon fuliginosus, the Brown House Snake. However, many hobbyists and breeders still use the older classification due to familiarity.
Key species and relatives include:
Boaedon fuliginosus (Brown House Snake): The most commonly kept species in captivity, adaptable and calm.
Boaedon capensis (Cape House Snake): Found in southern Africa, often greenish-brown with subtle patterning.
Boaedon lineatus (Striped House Snake): Recognizable by distinct dorsal stripes.
Lamprophis aurora (Aurora House Snake): Beautifully colored but more secretive and less commonly kept.
Lamprophis fuscus (Yellow House Snake): A rarer and less documented species with golden hues.
These snakes exhibit great diversity across the continent, and their taxonomic history reflects Africa's complex biodiversity. While classification changes continue to be refined with genetic research, the term "African House Snake" broadly refers to this group of snakes that share similar behavioral and ecological traits.