The specific name, mackayi, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Roy D.

[3][4] A. mackayi generally burrows in areas with black soil and few trees.

A. mackayi generally grows to the size of about 10 cm (3.9 in) snout-vent length (SVL).

It is similar to Anomalopus leuckartii but with distinctly didactyle (having two digits) hindlimbs, a central dark spot within each individual scale, and is yellow-green below with darker flecks (Cogger 2000).

Adult females of A. mackayi give birth to live young.