[2][3] A. vermiculatus is endemic to the Viñales region of Pinar del Río Province in western Cuba.

[2] It lives in densely vegetated and heavily shaded habitats close to water, typically streams.

[5][6] A. vermiculatus is fast to retreat and will dive into water to escape potential enemies,[3][4] reportedly sometimes staying submerged for almost an hour.

[7] It can also run bipedally across water, similar to A. lionotus, A. poecilopus and A. oxylophus (all often in Norops instead) from Central America and Colombia, as well as the basilisks.

[8][9] The semi-aquatic anoles are morphologically diverse and do not form a monophyletic group,[8] but there is convergence in certain microstructures of their skin, making it highly hydrophobic.