As an adult, it generally reaches about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) of length with a 22 to 39 g weight[7] and has a small head, cylindrical body, and five toes on each foot.

Chalcides ocellatus is considered to be a generalist species and can be found in a wide variety of environments, such as farmland and gravel deserts around the Mediterranean coast.

Although this species has very smooth scales and is capable of "sand-swimming" behavior in loose sand or soil,[10] its limbs are not specifically adapted for fossorial movement.

[13] In captivity, ocellated skinks can be primarily fed on insect prey, but they also take certain commercial diets as well as occasional wet cat/dog food.

Ocellated skinks are also known to eat small amounts of plant matter, such as finely chopped greens, flowers, and fruits.