Ventral scales larger, in 22 to 27 longitudinal rows. Long, cylindrical tail which may be broken off and regenerated. Glossy black with 9 to 10 groups of whitish-yellow or gold spots arranged in crossbands. Tail is marked with alternating bands of black and white in the young that fade with age. Old males and fattened specimens tend to develop heavy jowls.
Long tongue is red.
Eastern and central South America. Ground dwellers, mainly in forest clearings. Dig their own burrows. Are agile climbers and swimmers. Hatchlings are 6 to 8 inches long, and break open the mound upon hatching.