[2] The specific name, harterti, is in honor of German ornithologist Ernst Johann Otto Hartert.

[3] The preferred natural habitat of H. harterti is forest, at altitudes as high as 1,100 m (3,600 ft).

[1] Adults of H. harteri have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of about 4 cm (1.6 in), and a tail length slightly shorter than SVL.

Males have 44–45 femoroprecloacal pores and a single cloacal spur (postanal tubercle).

[2] H. harterti is nocturnal and scansorial (adapted for climbing).