Characteristics
Identification:
- Dorsal: Grayish-blue to pale reddish-purple coloration.
- Limbs & Tail: Orange.
- Neck: Featuring a reticulated pattern of yellow spots and thick black stripes.
- Flanks: Orange with 3-4 thin, vibrant yellow stripes.
- Size: Mature males have a minimum SVL (snout-vent length) of 75.5 mm, while mature females have a minimum SVL of 72.2 mm.
- Labial Scales: 7 or 8 supralabials (upper labial scales) and 5-7 infralabials (lower labial scales).
- Chin Scales: Very large chin scales, followed by 3 postmental scales extending to the fourth or fifth infralabial.
- Tubercles: Tubercles on the forelimbs and dorsum are hornified (hardened).
- Ventral Scales: Ventral scales, sub-tibial scales, and subcaudal scales are smooth.
- Dorsal Tubercles: 32-48 tubercles along the spine in the mid-body region, between the forelimbs and hindlimbs.
- Lateral Tubercles: Lateral tubercles are not arranged in rows.
- Caudal Tubercles: Tubercles on the tail run along the spine.
- Postanal Tubercles: 1 or 2 postanal tubercles.
- Preanal Scales: Preanal scales are not enlarged.
- Femoral Scales: Femoral scales are very large.
- Sub-tibial Scales: Large, plate-like sub-tibial scales.
- Subdigital Scales: The subdigital scale on the first toe of the forelimb is enlarged.
- Sub-fourth Toe Lamellae: 25-28 lamellae (skin folds) under the fourth toe of the hindlimb.
Habitat and Ecology
This reptile species is nocturnal but can also be encountered during the day. It typically inhabits the primary rock formations within evergreen forests on islands, at elevations ranging from 5 to 300 meters above sea level. The diet consists of insects found within the habitat. Eggs (2) are laid in tree hollows or rock crevices at the beginning of the rainy season each year.
Distribution
This species is endemic to Vietnam, newly discovered on Hon Khoai Island, Kiên Giang Province.