It is closely related to Euprepiophis conspicillata, the Japanese forest rat snake.

It is a relatively small rat snake; adult size is no more than 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in total length (body + tail).

[3] India (Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan, China (Anhui, Beijing, Chongqing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shanghai, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin, Tibet, Yunnan, Zhejiang)[1] Type locality: China: Chekiang, Chusan island (modern transliteration: Zhejiang, Zhoushan) (Cantor, 1842).

Based on mitochondrial DNA, Utiger et al. (2002)[4] argued for a splintering of the genus Elaphe and suggested a reworking of the genera.

It feeds primarily on small rodents, prefers cooler temperatures, and is predominantly crepuscular.