The generic name, Underwoodisaurus, is in honour of British herpetologist Garth Leon Underwood.

[3] Reptile systematists nowadays recognise a distinct family, Carphodactylidae, for this and some related genera.

The feet are generally "bird-like" with long slender digits, and the tail is carrot-shaped.

[5] Thick-tailed geckos shelter under leaf litter, around the bases of trees in loose bark, and in crevices.

[5] They emerge in the evenings to hunt in open areas[5] for crickets, cockroaches and huntsman spiders.