The genus Erythrolamprus belongs to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which is sometimes referred to as the family Dipsadidae.

[7] The dorsal scales are smooth, with apical pits, and are arranged in 17 rows at midbody.

[7] Erythrolamprus melanotus is diurnal,[4] hunting during the day along the forest floor, where it feeds on spectacled lizards in the genus Bachia, the rain frog Pristimantis urichi, the puddle frog Engystomops pustulosus, the gecko Gonatodes vittatus, and various unidentified fish.

[3] The geographic distribution of E. melanotus includes Colombia, Venezuela,[8] and Trinidad and Tobago.

[4] The preferred natural habitats of E. melanotus are freshwater wetlands, forest, and savanna, at altitudes up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).