The scales on the body are domed with little overlap. The body is somewhat flattened, likely a modification for dwelling in rocks. Hatchlings and juveniles are patterned in colors of chocolate brown and tan or yellow.
Adults are paler, with colors of greenish-brown, brown and tan.
Dwarf pythons are found inland from the coast along a rocky escarpment at an elevation of about 1000-2000 feet. They are closely associated with the occasional natural springs that occur in this otherwise extremely dry area. This is a very uncommon species in captivity. Most US captives are descended from one pair of snakes that were once at the Houston Zoo. In recent years there has been some new blood out of Europe that is being bred into the US captive lineage of this species.