[5] The specific name, stejnegeri, is in honor of Leonhard Stejneger, herpetologist at the Smithsonian Institution for over 60 years.

[6][7] Adults of C. stejnegeri do not usually grow to more than 60 cm (24 in) in total length (including tail).

[8] The tail is relatively long, representing 11.0-14.8% of the total length of adult male snakes and 9.8-12.5% in females.

[2] C. stejnegeri is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with the following criteria: B1ab(iii) (v3.1, 2001).

[1] A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates its extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 20,000 km2 (7,720 mi2), estimates indicate it is severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 10 locations, and a continuing decline has been observed, inferred, or projected in its area, extent, and/or quality of habitat.