The front limbs are very small, and both fore-limbs and hind-limbs have reduced function and appear to be vestigial attachments for its lifestyle and habitat.

The specific name, arnoldi, is in honor of entomologist George Arnold (1881-1962) of the National Museum in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Its body is brown, but each scale has a dark metallic central spot so it has a shiny appearance.

[4] Arnold's skink is found in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe in grasslands and forest and particularly the margins between habitats (like stream banks).

This small skink lives in tussock or hamper type mountain grass and moss-beds hiding under stones and logs.