The specific name, phipsonii, and the common names are in honor of British naturalist Herbert Musgrave Phipson, one of the founders of the Bombay Natural History Society.

[3] U. phipsonii is found in the Western Ghats, reported at several localities around Maharashtra including hills around Mumbai and Pune.

[1] The preferred natural habitat of U. phipsonii is forest, at altitudes of 400–700 m (1,300–2,300 ft).

U. phipsonii is brown both dorsally and ventrally, either uniform or with yellowish dots.

It has a short yellow streak on each side, beginning at the corner of the mouth.

Adults may attain 28 cm (11 inches) in total length (including tail).

The end of the tail is flat dorsally, obliquely truncate, with strongly bicarinate or quadricarinate scales.