Catesbeiana is for Mark Catesby. The overall coloration is green or gray brown with brown spots, especially on older specimens. Some brown, yellow, albino and even blue individuals have been observed.
Adults have a conspicuous round eardrum, called the tympanum, located on either side of the head.
The tympanum is up to twice as large as the eye. A ridge of skin starts behind the eye, runs over the eardrum, and ends at the base of the front legs. There are no lateral ridges on the back. The hind legs are large and powerful and may be banded or blotched with brown. Males have a singular throat pouch that is pale to bright yellow.