Together these two monotypic genera make up the subfamily Pseudaspidinae of the family Lamprophiidae.

[2] P. carinata is unusual in possessing greatly fragmented head shields, a peculiar maxillary dentition (3rd to 6th largest, posterior-most tooth large and grooved), a reduced number of palatine teeth (including a greatly enlarged "fang"), and hypapophyses developed throughout the vertebral column.

Both nocturnal (Afroedura, Chondrodactylus, Palmatogecko and Pachydactylus) and diurnal geckos (Rhoptropus and Narudasia) were eaten.

Mammalian prey were eaten primarily by larger snakes.

[5] P. carinata is a rare snake restricted to gravel plains and arid savannah.