Native to the Middle East, its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rocky areas, arable land, pastureland, plantations, and rural gardens.

The upper surface is reddish-brown or reddish grey, with a dark band with pale margins on the neck and scattered, smaller dark bands with pale rims on the fore-parts, these markings being more widely spaced than those of Dahl's whip snake.

[3] The red whip snake is native to Bulgaria, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territory, Syria, and Turkey.

It is typically found on dry rocky areas such as coastal plains with low scrub, bushes and other vegetation.

[3] It is also found on agricultural land and in gardens, and its altitudinal range is from sea level up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).