The specific name, perrotetii or perroteti, is in honour of French naturalist George Samuel Perrottet (1793–1867).

[2] P. perrotetii is found in the Western Ghats and hills of southern India.

P. perrotetii is a small snake, growing to a maximum of 44 cm (17+1⁄4 in) in total length (including tail).

It has smooth, glossy scales and is brown in colour.

Like the common worm snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), Plectrurus perrotetii is also often mistaken for earthworms, upon which it feeds.