Pseudaspididae

Pseudaspididae is a small family of snakes. It has two species, each in its own special genus. These snakes live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Scientists once thought these snakes were part of a bigger family called Lamprophiidae. But new research shows they are different enough to have their own family name. Some scientists still discuss this and may keep them as a smaller part of Lamprophiidae.

There was a belief that some Asian mock vipers, called Psammodynastes, were part of this family. But recent studies show these Asian snakes are older and belong to their own family called Psammodynastidae.

Genera

The Pseudaspididae family has two species, each in its own group.

• Pseudaspis Fitzinger, 1843
  • Pseudaspis cana (Linnaeus, 1758) (mole snake)
• Pythonodipsas Günther, 1868
  • Pythonodipsas carinata Günther, 1868 (western keeled snake)