Identification:
Morphological Characteristics:
This lizard species is of medium size, with a body length ranging from 66 to 122 mm and a tail length of 124 to 195 mm. The head is covered with symmetrical plate-like scales that are indistinguishable from the neck. The snout is blunt, with the supranasal scale wider than it is high. The nostrils are round, located between the nasal scales. The two nasal scales are separated by the internasal and frontal scales. There is one pair of parietal scales in contact with each other, sometimes separated by a small scale. Two cheek scales, four supraocular scales, and six to seven scales on the eyelid are present. The upper lip has six to seven scales, and the lower lip has six to eight scales on each side. The temporal scales are arranged in three rows. The mental scale is wider than high, with a single postmental scale, wider than long. There are two pairs of postmental scales; the first pair is in contact, and the second pair is usually separated by a small scale. The tympanum is deep, with a height greater than its length.
The body scales are relatively uniform, overlapping like roof tiles from front to back. The dorsal scales have three prominent keels (sometimes five), while the flank scales have finer keels; the ventral scales are smooth. There are 30 to 33 scale rows around the midbody, including the ventral scales. There are 39 to 46 scale rows along the back, 46 to 54 rows along the belly, and 68 to 94 subcaudal scale rows. The scales on the limbs are smaller than those on the body. The scales on the front limbs are smooth; the scales on the hind limbs have fine keels on the dorsal surface and lack keels on the ventral surface.
The body color is glossy brown or glossy dark brown, with the belly and the underside of the limbs being lighter than the dorsal surface. On the back, there are 5 to 7 narrow, dark brown stripes (approximately 1/3 the width of a single scale row) running from the parietal scales to the base of the tail. The flanks also have dark brown coloration. Females exhibit white spots along the sides of the body, extending from behind the ear to 1/3 the length of the tail.
Biology and Ecology:
This cold-blooded reptile species is relatively common near human settlements, along riverbanks, and wide streams in low-lying areas with moderate elevations. They regulate their body temperature by basking in the sunlight during the day. They forage in abandoned areas or on rocks, tree trunks, fences, and rough-surfaced walls. Their diet consists of invertebrates. Females lay 5 to 10 eggs.
Distribution:
- Vietnam: Found in most provinces, from Lai Chau (Binh Lu) to Minh Hai, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau.
- Global: This species is found in many locations, from eastern India to Hainan and New Guinea.