A colourful snake that averages 25 cm in length and lives in loose sand in coastal forest and moist savanna. It usually remains just below the surface in loose sandy soil but may be seen on roads on warm summer nights. When threatened it may lift the front part of the body well off the ground and slowly sway to and fro with the mouth agape. This snake feeds on reptile eggs, especially hardshelled gecko eggs. Females lay up to 5 eggs in summer. This snake is harmless and poses no threat to humans.