[1] Adults have a typical snout–vent length of about 18 cm (7 in), with tails that are slightly shorter than their bodies, and demonstrate little sexual dimorphism.

[2] It is one of six species called "false chameleons" that sometimes are recognized as their own genus Chamaeleolis or as the Cuban clade in Xiphosurus.

[3] These are all native to Cuba, fairly large for anoles, have robust heads, are dull gray-brown in color, slow-moving and have blunt teeth used for crushing snails, which is their main diet in the wild.

[3] Together with the similar (in appearance and microhabitat), but not closely related A. landestoyi of Hispaniola, they form a group known as the twig–giant ecomorph.

Studies have found that Anolis barbatus lizards spend a majority of their time stationary.