The dorsal body colour varies from golden yellow, to bright green, to olive-green, to black, sometimes even blue.

It is found in a variety of habitats ranging from rainforest to woodland to urban areas where it preys on fish, frogs, and other small animals.

It is also found from the Kimberley region (Western Australia) to Cape York and Torres Strait (Queensland), extending down the east coast into New South Wales, and north into Papua New Guinea.

[7][4] The common tree snake lives in a wide variety of habitats, including: bushland; well vegetated banks of rivers, creeks and streams; rainforest edges; eucalypt forests; heathland and areas with trees, long grass, and lush vegetation – especially near water.

[1] The peak activity period for D. punctulatus, as determined from callouts by members of the public, in the Darwin region is during the northern dry season (May-July).

[10][11] When D. punctulatus is near water it often looks for long grass, blending in to hide while watching for its prey to come to nearby rocks or banks to bask or play.