[4][6] The specific name, worthingtoni, is in honor of British zoologist Edgar Barton Worthington,[5] collector of the first specimen.

[7][8] The preferred natural habitats of B. worthingtoni are grassland, rocky areas, savanna, and shrubland.

[1] B. worthingtoni is restricted to Kenya's high central Rift Valley[3][7] at elevations of 1,500–2,500 metres (4,900–8,200 ft).

[4] In 2004, a proposal was submitted by Kenya to have B. worthingtoni listed on CITES Appendix II.

The actual status of the species was unknown, but it was reasoned that the Kenyan proposal was justified due to the species' restricted geographic range, habitat loss, demand by reptile collectors and the existence of illegal trade.