In Puerto Rico, the species is also found on the island of Isla Culebra, as well as in the Toro Negro State Forest.

Puerto Rican ground lizards occur in habitat with open canopy structure and loose sandy soil in elevations between sea-level and 600 m (2,000 ft) where the temperature is above 24 °C (75 °F) year-round.

[4] Ground lizards forage for insects and small fruits and scavenge for dead animals or trash scraps in urban areas.

Sexually mature females of P. exsul bury 2–7 pink eggs approximately 100 mm (3.9 in) below ground in loose soil in June–August.

Mammalian predators, all invasive species, include feral cats, dogs, and small Indian mongooses.