Tobago false coral snake

Unlike other Erythrolamprus false coral snake species, E. ocellatus is not sympatric with coral snakes, and has a spotted rather than a banded pattern. Dorsally, it is reddish (with black scale tips), and has a series of about 25 large ocelli (round black spots with light centers) running down the middle of the back. It is considered to be an imperfect mimic of a coral snake, keeping in mind that there are no extant species of coral snakes in Tobago. The dorsal surfaces of the head and neck are black, and the tail is ringed with black.

The species is a Tobago endemic, known only from the wetter northeastern and central parts of the island. It utilizes leaf-litter and is perhaps also fossorial in rainforest, forest edge and cacao plantation habitats. It seems to be most active in the early morning and late afternoon.