[3] It was described by Pieter Bleeker in 1853, originally under the genus Ophisurus.

[4] It is a marine, tropical eel which is known from the Indo-Pacific.

It forms burrows in soft sediments in shallow waters, and leads a nocturnal lifestyle.

Males can reach a maximum total length of 95 centimetres (37 in).

[3] The olive snake eel's diet consists of finfish.