This iguanid lizard is found inhabiting bushes and branches in open forests and ecotonal scrublands or scrub-steppes, chiefly in the Chilean Matorral ecoregion.

[5] Some have distinguished multiple species within L. chiliensis due to differences in "snout-vent length, squamation, and dorsal and ventral colors.

[4] The Chilean tree iguana is relatively large-sized compared to other lizards, reaching 25 cm (9.8 in) in total length.

[11] These dull-colored lizards tend to be green and gray, helping them camouflage against rocks and vegetation.

[18] It is also found in the Chilean Matorral, Patagonian Steppe, and Valdivian Temperate Forests, covering a region spanning Chile and Argentina.

[19] A helpful map of its distribution and numerous observations (and their photos) can be found on iNaturalist.

L. chiliensis is adept in running and climbing, and can often be found on branches higher than expected.

Studies in species within the chiliensis group have identified that these lizards feed mainly on Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera.

Stomach and fecal contents also included parts of grasshoppers, scorpions, plants, Lepidoptera, and Diptera.

[23] These lizards have been observed to display eye-bulging, which is thought to serve a purpose of thermoregulation or even eye-cleaning.

[27] Weeping lizards are known to produce "distress calls" when stressed, cornered, or threatened, including when seized by humans.

[29] The presence of a somewhat consistently high risk of predation reduces the activity of these lizards over long-term observation.

Compared to females, males tend to emit calls that are louder, more linear, and less complicated.

The vocalizations are thought to serve two purposes: 1) they cause antipredatory behavior in conspecific neighbors and 2) possibly deter predators.

Lizards may feel safer in a familiar environment, and therefore more alarmed by surprising causes of distress.

Without the scent, lizards froze to avoid detection; when other members of the same species were thought to be around, they were quicker to try escaping.

Distress calls therefore have been evolutionarily advantageous, increasing the chances of survival both with or without other lizards present.

[11] Given that southern lizards tend to be smaller in size, their perceived risk of predation may be higher, causing increased sensitivity to distress calls produced by weeping lizards of any region.

Therefore, these distress calls might negatively impact the weeping lizards’ ability to capture prey.

Their popularity as a pet remains, due to their common presence within this range and their distress calls.