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

[3] Dorsally, it is reddish (with black scale tips), and has a series of about 25 large ocelli (round black spots with light centers) running down the middle of the back.

It is considered to be an imperfect mimic of a coral snake, keeping in mind that there are no extant species of coral snakes in Tobago.

[5] The species is a Tobago endemic,[4] known only from the wetter northeastern and central parts of the island.

It utilizes leaf-litter and is perhaps also fossorial in rainforest, forest edge and cacao plantation habitats.