This species was often believed to be the snake described by Richard Ligon in his "A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbadoes" (1657):[3]
"Having done with Beasts and Birds, we will enquire what other lesser Animalls or Insects there are upon the Iland, of which, Snakes are the chiefe, because the largest; and I have seen some of those a yard and a halfe long."[4]
It is believed to be extinct, as there has not been a confirmed sighting since 1961.[3][5][6][7] Habitat loss is believed to have caused its decline, particularly the land clearance and pesticide use associated with tree crops.[8]
It grew to a total length of 1 m (39 in), which included a tail 20 cm (7.9 in) long.[9] It was colored brown with lighter sides, and light lateral stripes to the rear.[10]
^Boulenger, G.A. 1894. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume II., Containing the Conclusion of the Colubridæ Aglyphæ. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, Printers.) London. xi + 382 pp. + Plates I.- XX. (Liophis perfuscus, p. 133.)
Cope, E.D. 1862. Synopsis of the Species of Holcosus and Ameiva, with Diagnoses of new West Indian and South American Colubridæ. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 14: 60–82. (Liophis perfuscus, p. 77.)