The specific name, gaerdesi, is in honor of German zoologist Jan Gaerdes (1889–1981), who lived in Namibia for many years.

[2] The preferred natural habitat of P. gaerdesi is gravelly or sandy desert or savanna, at altitudes of 200–1,400 m (660–4,590 ft).

[1] Adults of P. gaerdesi have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 4.5–5 cm (1.8–2.0 in).

The transparent "window" of the lower eyelid, which consist of one large scale, is ringed with black.

This lizard from family Lacertidae article is a stub.