The specific name, hoffmanni, is in honor of German naturalist Karl Hoffmann.

[2] The preferred natural habitat of G. hoffmanni is forest, at altitudes of 18–2,100 m (59–6,890 ft), but it is also found in disturbed areas such as farms and gardens.

[1] A small species of snake, the holotype of G. hoffmanni has total length (including tail) of 24.5 cm (9.6 in) (W. Peters, 1859).

There are five or fewer upper labials, and the posterior chin shields contact each other.

Adults are uniformly dark brown or black dorsally, and are white or cream-colored ventrally.