Lamprophiinae is a subfamily of lamprophiid snakes, a large group of mostly African snakes, most of which were formerly classified as colubrids but which we now know are actually more closely related to elapids. Lamprophiine snakes are small to medium-sized snakes, several of which use constriction to subdue their prey. In general we know little about their ecology in the wild. The best-known lamprophiines are probably the genera Boaedon and Lamprophis, commonly known as "house snakes". Several species are popular in the pet trade. Chamaelycus and Dendrolycus are the most poorly known genera.