[5] Soft-bodied, with pentadactyle limbs (meaning five digits on each extremity), S. elderi is a moderately sized lizard from the Geckkonidae family – measuring 65-75mm or 45mm from snout to vent.

[3] Eyes are brown-grey with a vertical slit and are covered by a transparent convex disc which is cleaned and moistened regularly using their broad, fleshy mobile tongue.

[3] The subdigital pads are expanded and specially modified to grip the slender (<1 cm in diameter), spiny foliage of spinifex grass (triodia sp.).

[3][7] S.elderi is distinguishable from other Strophurus species due to a lack precloacal pores, caudal ornamentation and bright oral mucosa.

[4] As a member of the Strophurus genus, S. elderi possesses paired, mid-dorsal glands running the tail length, which forcibly eject a viscous, highly adhesive, slightly malodorous liquid up to 50 cm towards antagonists.

[9] Spinifex remains significantly cooler than the surrounding bare ground,[7] and its robust and binding root structure provides an ideal burrowing substrate.

S. elderi is currently threatened by habitat loss and destruction due to clearance, changes to grazing regimes, alterations in fire frequency and intensity, and predation by feral animals such as cats and foxes.