[1][3] It is endemic to north-eastern Mexico and known from higher elevations in the Sierra Madre Oriental of southern Nuevo León (including elevations above the eponymic Galeana) as well as adjacent Coahuila[3] and Tamaulipas.

The tail is shorter than the body;[2] the maximum SVL and total length are 75–135 mm (3.0–5.3 in), respectively.

There are a few relatively large, irregular whitish lichen like spots, particularly on the tail, and smaller flecks of brown, tan, to dull red specks on the dorsum.

[2] Natural habitats of this species are semi-open pine-oak forests with madrone and agaves at elevations of 1,800–2,800 m (5,900–9,200 ft) above sea level, up to 2936 meters in Tamaulipas.

It tolerates some habitat modification and has been found in agave plantations and scrubby open country.