Identification Characteristics:
- Body Length: 45 – 63 mm.
- Tail Length: 45 – 68 mm.
- Scales: The head and body are covered with small, uniform granular scales. Scales on the snout are slightly larger than those on the head and body, and are arranged side-by-side. Gular scales are granular and arranged side-by-side. Scales on the chest, abdomen, and underside of the thighs are round, larger than the body scales, and overlapping. Scales around the cloacal slit are small. The rostral scale is rectangular, 1.6 times wider than its height. Mental scale is triangular, with the outer edges wider than the rostral scale. There are two pairs of postmental scales; the first pair contacts the first supralabial scales, while the second pair contacts both the first and second supralabial scales. There are 10 – 12 supralabial scales and 7 – 9 infralabial scales on each side. There are 5 lamellae under the first digit of the forelimbs and 8 – 11 lamellae under the fourth digit of the hindlimbs. There are 16 – 17 femoral pores on each side. The round tail has small spines arranged in 6 longitudinal rows.
Coloration:
- Dorsal: Varies from gray to black, or dark brown, light brown, pale yellow to opaque white, with black streaks along the body to the base of the tail, or with black bands across the body; sometimes with white spots arranged in rows along the body, or lacking any patterns.
- Ventral: Opaque white.
Biology and Ecology:
- Activity: Nocturnal.
- Habitat: Commonly found around large tree roots or large rocks in evergreen forests, and sometimes in residential areas.
- Diet: Consumes larvae found in the habitat.
Distribution:
- Vietnam: Found in almost all provinces from Lạng Sơn to Cà Mau.
- Worldwide: Southeast Asia and China, India.