[2] The preferred habitats of S. atriceps are deserts, rocky areas, and scrub forest.

[3] S. atriceps may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 2 m (6.6 ft).

Dorsally, it is pale orange, pink, or yellow, with scattered black flecks.

The sides of the head and the nape of the neck are deep red.

In India, the adult female lays a clutch of 3 to 8 eggs in October.