Named for the V-shaped lyre on its head, this medium-sized snake reaches a length of nearly 4 feet (1.2 m). The broad head with narrow neck gives the lyre snake a triangular-shaped head. Dark brown saddles reside on a light brown to light gray back. The underside is creamy-white or yellow with scattered brown spots. This mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake feeds primarily on lizards, but also eats birds and bats. Primarily nocturnal, it is seldom active during the day.