The extreme lower sides are yellowish-tan. The throat is streaked with brown pigment. The belly is yellow or cream with two rows of black spots. The scales are keeled and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round.
Juveniles are similar to that of adults.
In Florida, it is found from the central peninsula northwest into the panhandle. Outside of Florida, it is found along the Atlantic coast to Virginia. Uncommon, found in cypress strands, sloughs, sphagnum bogs, swamps, creeks, and streams. The glossy crayfish snake is aquatic. It is also occasionally found burrowed beneath logs and crossing roads after heavy rains.