On Panay it has been recorded within primary and secondary lowland tropical moist forests, and in areas nearby.

Coloration is dark brown or black, sometimes gray above as in the Dryophiops rubescens and often with a light green or pale blue flecks.

The belly scutes have 15 scale rows at the midsection and have faint dark lines that give the impression that it is keeled.

The scales on the top of the head are large, a feature that distinguishes this snake from Dryophiops rubescens.

Although it is an arboreal snake, it prefers to roam open grounds and can often be seen on the forest floor, among leaf litter.

The keel-bellied whipsnake is a very specialized hunter, actively pursuing its prey that consists primarily of geckos and other lizards.

Sperm storage is also reported among this species, meaning it can lay eggs multiple times with only one mating.

Continuous destruction of primary and secondary forests, conversion of fertile lands to agricultural and residential areas, as well as indiscriminate human killings can threaten the survival of this animal.