The colour is brown or greyish above, with a series of blackish transverse cross bands; nape with a blackish blotch, or three blackish longitudinal streaks, or a transverse bar; a more or less distinct brown crown marking on top of head and a thick streak from the eye to the angle of the mouth; lower parts yellowish, dotted with brown, usually with a lateral series of small brown dots.

Previously believed to occur in the Western Ghats of India, but was falsified by recent studies.

This snake frequently ventures into human dwellings in search of prey such as geckos.

It has a somewhat aggressive disposition and boldly strikes out when disturbed or cornered.

[3] This snake is known as Nidi mapila by the Sinhala speaking community of Sri Lanka.