Identification Characteristics:
- Medium size, with a body length of 83.5 mm.
- Tail longer than the body (TL/SVL: 1.28).
- Dark brown spots on the head.
- A V-shaped band on the nape, or interrupted in the middle, forming two parts.
- 5 or 7 dark brown bands on the back, between the forelegs and hind legs.
- 9 – 10 irregular bands on the tail.
- 18 – 23 scales between the two eye sockets.
- 26 – 32 scales between the eye and the nostril.
- 39 – 46 ventral scale rows.
- 20 – 23 rows of pointed tubercles, with sparse, irregular keratinization along the midline of the body.
- 28 – 34 tubercles along the spine on the mid-body region between the forelegs and hind legs.
- 6 – 8 pre-cloacal pores in males.
- 5 – 16 enlarged femoral scales.
- 18 – 20 subdigital lamellae under the first hind toe.
- 15 – 17 subdigital lamellae under the fourth hind toe.
- 9 – 10 large scales on the heel.
- Moderately sized, enlarged subcaudal scales (under the tail).
Biology and Ecology:
- Nocturnal reptile species, typically inhabiting rocky areas near streams and on large trees in evergreen forests, at elevations from 100 to 1400 meters.
- Active only at night.
- Diet consists of insects found in the surrounding environment.
- Lays 2 eggs in cavities, crevices in tree bark, or rock crevices at the beginning of the rainy season each year.
- The species name is derived from the discovered distribution area.
Distribution:
- Endemic to Vietnam, recently discovered in the Yangbay waterfall area and the Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Khanh Hoa province.