[1] Nucras tessellata is associated with several habitat types such as savanna, karoo, and fynbos at elevations of 20–1,500 m (66–4,921 ft) above sea level.

Although secretive, it can often be found in dry river beds or sandy areas with scattered rocks.

In breeding colours, it is strongly striped in black and white over its forequarters, becoming bright orange-brown over its hindquarters and tail.

The lizard is most active during morning and evening, when it hunts for its preferred prey, scorpions.

Its diet is supplemented by spiders, grasshoppers, termites and beetles, often excavated from their daytime retreats.