The specific name, gammiei, is in honor of naturalist James Alexander Gammie (1839–1924), who managed a Cinchona plantation in Darjeeling from 1865 to 1897.

[1] At first glance, Gammie's wolf snake resembles the venomous kraits.

Its body is encircled by alternating dark and light rings with irregular margins.

It has an imperfect pale collar, and the underside of the head and neck are whitish.

Adults are about 80 cm (32 inches) in total length (including tail).