[2] The preferred natural habitats of U. maculata are forest and grassland, but it has also been found in agricultural plantations.

[1] U. maculata is dark brown or black both dorsally and ventrally, with several deep red blotches on the sides anteriorly, rarely along the full length of the body.

Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 38 cm (15 inches).

The portion of the rostral visible from above is as long as its distance from the frontal.

The caudal dorsal scales are smooth, or a few of the terminal ones are faintly keeled.