Collett's snake is found in the wild only in central Queensland where it lives in dry inland areas. However it is kept throughout Australia by snake collectors. It is an attractive, solidly built snake with a slightly distinct head. It is beautifully marked with scales of varying colours from orange to dark brown, producing a speckled effect. The average length is 1.25m and the maximum recorded length 2m. Eggs are laid usually in twelves. The snake hunts by day and feeds mainly on lizards, snakes and other small animals.

The toxicity of Collett's snake venom is similar to that of the Mulga snake. Average venom output is unknown. Black snake antivenom should be used to treat envenomations which can be associated with severe myotoxicity, renal failure and an anticoagulant-type coagulopathy.