In live specimens of the dwarf gecko Lygodactylus capensis from different localities in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, scalation patterns and colouration of adults and hatchlings were investigated. All specimens examined share the same scalation pattern, but they differ in the number of preanal pores in males. Males from southern Africa generally possess 4 to 5 preanal pores, whereas those from Tanzania possess 7 preanal pores. The general colouration of specimens from southern Africa is brown with a camouflaging pattern of streaks and dots. The extent of the streaks and the number of the spots are quite variable between specimens from different localities and - to a lower extent - between specimens of the same population. Additionally, the colouration strongly depends on internal factors as well as external stimuli, e.g. disturbance. While all specimens from southern Africa share this basic colouration, the Tanzanian specimens are usually coloured grey and possess conspicuous whitish spots with black edges. Their ability to change colour is limited. Hatchlings of all forms except those from Tanzania are again quite similar, with a brownish body and a bright orange-red tail. In contrast, hatchlings of the Tanzanian specimens are dark brown during their first days and become grey subsequently. Additionally, only the undersides of their tails are reddish. The Tanzanian form stands apart from the other populations of L. capensis as far as colouration and some morphometric data are concerned. Due to unsatisfactory definitions of East African Lygodactylus species, it is not yet clear whether the Tanzanian form is referable to L. [capensis] grotei. Alternatively, it may be a member of the L. scheffleri complex. Keywords: southern and eastern Africa, Gekkonidae, Lygodactylus capensis, intraspecific variability.