The specific name, agassizi, is in honour of Alexander Agassiz, who was an American zoologist and mining engineer.

[3] The preferred natural habitat of A. agassizi is moist rocky areas, at altitudes from sea level to 376 m (1,234 ft).

[4] Anolis agassizi is less territorial than other anoles, sharing perches and food sources without dispute.

Malpelo Island is quite barren of vegetation, and the anoles mainly eat insects, especially beetles.

Based on an attraction to the colour orange, they may also eat bird eggs, as large numbers of boobies nest on the island.