The specific name, burchelli, is in honor of William John Burchell who was an English explorer and naturalist.

[3] P. burchelli is found in Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa.

[2] The preferred natural habitats of P. burchelli are savanna, shrubland, and grassland.

[1] Adults of P. burchelli have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5.5 centimetres (1.8–2.2 in).

Each hatchling has a total length (including tail) of about 7.2 cm (2.8 in).