The species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats, India.

[2] The specific name of the synonym, gansi, is in honor of American herpetologist Carl Gans.

[3] E. dawsoni is found in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, southern India.

[2] The type locality of the formerly recognized Eutropis gansi is "2 km NW of Muthalar Road Cross off Sengaltheri–Thalayanai road (towards Moolakasam), Kalakkad Tiger Reserve, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu State, India".

[4] The preferred natural habitat of E. dawsoni is forest, at altitudes of 20 m (66 ft) and higher.