[1] Mitochondrial DNA analysis by biologist Catherine Malone found its closest relatives to be Cyclura nubila on Cuba, and C. lewisi on Grand Cayman.

[1] It lives in tropical dry forest, pine barrens, coastal coppice, mangrove and beach strand habitats.

The populations from the Exumas were imperilled due to feral animals (goats), fires caused by tourists, and rapid private land acquisition (primarily for tourism purposes).

Development, fire and feral animals had caused a reduction in area of suitable habitat of at least 20% over the previous 30 years.

[1] A 2002 article in the Miami Herald quoted an officer of the Bahamas' Department of Agriculture who stated iguanas were still sometimes hunted and eaten, albeit rarely.