The species is native to three island groups in the Bahamas, and is in decline due to habitat encroachment from human development and predation by feral dogs and cats.

The lizard's back color can range from red, orange or yellow, to green, brown or grey, usually patterned by darker markings.

[9] The three island groups, each harboring its own subspecies, are on separate banks and were not connected during the last glacial period when water levels were 100 m (330 ft) lower than they are at present.

Female San Salvador rock iguanas attain sexual maturity when they reach 20 cm (7.9 in) in length from snout to vent and weigh 300 g (11 oz).

While the island's natives often used iguanas as food and funerary offerings in pre-colonial times, man's largest-scale devastation to these animals was as a result of clear-cutting forests to create plantations as well as the introduction of non-native species.

[1] However, Ardastra Gardens in Nassau (New Providence Island, Bahamas) currently holds two juveniles and plans to implement a captive breeding program.