A blotched snake and one that may be troublesome to identify. typically, back and tail are patterned with about 60 brown, reddish, or greenish, black edged markings. Occasionally these are aplit in two down the back. There are 2 alternating rows of smaller dark markings on each side, but pairs of these may fuse together. The ground coloris brownish gray to tan. In many older specimensthe ground color darkens and the pattern becomes quite obscure, producingthe dark phase that often is further characterized by the development of 4 longitudinal dusky stripes. Belly yellowish with squarish brown blotches. Scales smooth; anal single.