The specific name, johnstonii, is in honor of British explorer Harry Johnston.

[3] L. johnstonii is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

[2] The preferred natural habitats of L. johnstonii are grassland and savanna, at altitudes of 330–1,000 m (1,080–3,280 ft).

[1] L. johnstonii has keeled dorsal scales, which are arranged in 39–52 rows at midbody.

The tail of juveniles is red, the color fading at adulthood.