Description:
Identifying Characteristics:
This cold-blooded reptile species is characterized by:
- Body length of approximately 70-80 mm, with a slightly flattened body.
- Keels present on scales of both the head and body.
- Body scales arranged in an imbricate pattern, ranging from 28-32 rows.
- Lateral scales also keeled, overlapping, and pointed posteriorly.
- Smooth ventral scales.
- Subcaudal scales significantly larger than adjacent scales.
- Head and body coloration brown, with a faint dark stripe that does not extend from behind the eye toward the tympanum; flanks often exhibit cream or orange markings.
Habitat and Ecology:
This species inhabits small streams within evergreen forests at relatively high elevations. Females lay 7-9 eggs per clutch, with hatchlings measuring 56-60 mm in length.
Distribution:
Vietnam: Sơn La (Mộc Châu), Lâm Đồng (Langbiang, Lộc Châu), Mã Đà, Cát Tiên (Đồng Nai).
Global: Found in Southeast Thailand and Cambodia.
Conservation Status:
Rare and infrequently observed.