It was previously mistaken for another related species, Lycodon travancoricus, but later taxonomic studies revealed its distinctiveness.

The back is coffee brown in adults, but black in juveniles, with a series of white cross bar-like patterns on the back and sides of the body, giving a white-mottled appearance.

Other specimens were discovered from nearby hilly areas such as the Horsley Hills and Tirumalai in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh as well as Melagiri or Hogenekkal Hills in Krishnakgiri-Dharmapuri districts and Anaikatti Hills, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.

The snake inhabits hilly tracts (600–1100 m asl) covered with mixed deciduous forest vegetation.

Young ones were seen ascending tree trunks and building walls up to 1.5 m height, while adults were encountered on ground and as dead ones hit by vehicle while crossing roads.