Slender. Broad head. Smooth, dull scales. Juvenile dirty yellow, speckled dark brown, had broad black band on throat. Adult colour varied: usually yellow-brown heavily flecked with dark brown, but may be plain yellow (Kalahari) or dark mahagony (Namaqualand). Black throat band fades with age.

A highly alert, fast-moving snake that bites readily, but does nog spit. It hunts by day for rodents, birds and other reptiles, including snakes.
It rears and spreads broad hood when approached.

Karoo and arid West.