The specific name, essexi, is in honor of South African herpetologist Robert Essex.

[2] T. essexi is found in Lesotho and South Africa.

[3] The preferred natural habitat of T. essexi is grassland, at altitudes of 2,400–3,400 m (7,900–11,200 ft).

Adults have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of only 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in).

This lizard from family Lacertidae article is a stub.