The
dorsum of
U. liura is purplish brown, with each scale darker-edged, and with transverse series of small yellow black-edged ocelli. The venter and sides have large alternating black and yellow spots or crossbands. Adults may attain in total length (including tail). The
dorsal scales are in 19 rows behind the head, in 17 rows at midbody. The
ventrals number 174-188, and the
subcaudals number 8-12. The snout is obtusely pointed. The
rostral is about ⅓ the length of the shielded part of the head, and the portion visible from above is as long as its distance from the
frontal. The
nasals are in contact with each other behind the rostral. The frontal is longer than broad. The eye is small, its diameter less than ½ the length of the ocular shield. The ventrals are twice as wide as the contiguous scales. The tail is round or slightly laterally compressed. The caudal dorsal scales are smooth or with very faint keels. The terminal scute is very small, with two points. ==Behavior==