Small. Blunt head. Smooth scales. Body pink-grey to dark olive. Scales black edged. Belly pinkish, sometimes with black crossbands or blotches on throat.

Nocturnal, Eats mice, lizards, frogs. Lays 10-22 eggs in summer.
Rears to spread broad hood. Spits and bites readily, causing swelling and skin loss, but fatalities are rare.

Kwazulu natal northwards to Caprivi