Originally described by Albert Günther in 1876, its present-day specific epithet, keralensis, meaning "of Kerala", was introduced as replacement name by Alain Dubois in 1981.

[2] This species has vomerine teeth in two strong oblique series starting from the inner anterior corners of the choanae.

When the hind leg is pulled forward, the tibio-tarsal articulation reaches the tip of the snout.

Upper parts have numerous very prominent warts and short glandular folds.

Grey or brown above, darker spotted; hinder side of thighs black, white-marbled; sometimes a broad light vertebral band.