The species is found in the Cerrado and adjacent Cerrado–Amazon mosaics in Brazil and Bolivia.

[1] H. spinosus is quite distantly related to the other members of Hoplocercidae, as it is believed to have diverged from these about 35 million years ago.

[1] The spiny weapontail has a total length (including tail) of about 12–15 cm (4.5–6 in).

[2] As suggested by its name, it has a short, highly spiny tail (it is superficially similar to Uromastyx, Cachryx and the smaller species in Ctenosaura).

[1] When disturbed, H. spinosus retreats to its burrow with its tail orientated towards the entrance.