A chewing action facilitates envenomation, as the venom ducts open to fangs that are externally grooved (not hollow) and are posterior in the oral cavity.

[4] When the snake bites, the salivary venom mixture is not injected, but it flows into the punctures produced by the upper jaw's rear teeth, which can penetrate the skin of humans.

This species of snake has recently been added to the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, 1976.

It stores the bufotoxins from the consumed toads in its nuchal glands located at the red colorful region of the neck of the snake.

When threatened such as by touching, the snake can burst its nuchal glands, releasing the stored toxin.

[6][7] The specific name subminiatus refers to the typical reddish coloration ("miniatus" = "scarlet, vermilion"[8]), which may be limited to the neck, or more extensive (e.g., photo at left).