The subspecific name, groomei, is in honor of Grenadian zoologist John R.

Adults may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2.1 m (6.9 ft).

Dorsally, adults are uniform black, gray, or olive-gray.

Juveniles are pale brown or red, with a black head and a yellow collar.

[7][8] Despite being primarily ophiophagous, Clelia clelia also includes the following prey items in its diet: lizards, snake eggs, opossums, rodents, birds, small mammals, and snails.