The species is native to northern South America and Panama.

In 2009 the geographic range of this widespread species was found to extend farther south to Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil.

The name describes the lizard's morphological characteristic of having a dark gold skin colour.

It is called tai tsjõ in the Kwaza language of Rondônia, Brazil.

[5] The preferred natural habitat of A. fuscoauratus is forest, at altitudes from sea level to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).