The species is endemic to the Turpan Depression in Xinjiang, northwestern China, where it occurs in arid shrubland and desert habitats.

The fruit of the caper bush is an important food item in certain months, and the gecko is also a seed disperser for this plant.

They are also similar in size, color and running patterns to Mesobuthus scorpions, further supporting the idea that they exhibit Batesian mimicry.

This species was first described in 1906 by Jacques von Bedriaga, and the specific name, roborowskii, honors Russian explorer Vladimir Ivanovich Roborovski.

Although the holotype (ZISP 9155) was originally reported to have been collected from the Oasis of Ssatschsheu (Dunhuang) in Gansu, China, this is believed to be an error as newer studies find that the species is absent there.

[6] A moderately sized lizard, the adults of this species reach a snout-vent length of 75.52–93.62 mm (2.973–3.686 in) and exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males having wider heads than females.

Adults have a largely orange background color with irregular dark spots on the upper surface, while the underside and flanks are lighter.

[8] This shift in diet seasonally alters the gut flora of the lizard, with lower microbiota diversity but more different phyla and families present in autumn than in spring.

The fruit of the caper bush, which begins ripening in July, is reported to be its main plant food item and can comprise 85% of its diet in summer and autumn.

[12] Juveniles may stiffen their bodies and curl their tails forward in a scorpion-like pose when provoked, which is believed to be Batesian mimicry of Mesobuthus scorpions.

In addition, the juveniles are similar in size, coloration and escape behavior to these scorpions, making it difficult to distinguish between the two during their moonlit foraging hours, further supporting this theory.

[1] Autumn and Han (1989) reported that the gecko was so abundant in one site, they "often observed over 40 eyeshines at a single spot" when turning a full circle while holding a flashlight.