[2] The species is endemic to the Cape Verde Islands and is listed as critically endangered.

In the Cape Verde Islands H. bouvieri has been found on the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Santiago and Ilhéu Raso.

The specific name, bouvieri, is in honor of French zoologist Aimé Bouvier (died 1919).

[2][4] The preferred natural habitats of H. bouvieri are grassland and shrubland, at altitudes of 250–700 m (820–2,300 ft).

[3][5] Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Hemidactylus.