Calotes desilvai is distinguished from other Calotes species by having a gular sac with distinct transverse black bands, shoulder pit is black, two shorter spines set far apart over ear, dorsinuchal crest of male consists of twelve-thirteen spines on neck, temporal region without large carinate scales, Scales on sides point backwards and downwards. A white dorsal mark from ear to above shoulders then descends to shoulder. Three white blotches under eye. The body color is bright luminous green with four black, irregular, broad bars (Bahir & Maduwage, 2005).

Calotes desilvai has been recorded only from the type locality, Morningside Forest reserve. This species is endemic to Sri Lanka. This species is largely arboreal (Bahir & Maduwage, 2005).

The female digs a nest hole in the ground and deposits 2 eggs in September. The eggs are 16.2-16.5 mm long by 8.5-8.9 wide (Bahir & Maduwage, 2005).

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (Bahir & Maduwage, 2005; IUCN, 2007).