[3][5] Common year-round, these diurnal lizards inhabit rocky volcanic areas of their islands along with dry shrub and grassland.

They have native predators such as Thomas's racer and invasive threats that were introduced by humans such as black rats.

Generally, females have a brown body with black markings around their shoulder and a bright orange or red colour on their face.

[3][4] Santiago lava lizards are oviparous, females lay 1–3 eggs in nests near rocks or vegetation.

[4] It is endemic to the islands of Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé, and six surrounding islets in the central Galapagos archipelago.