Marine Iguana

Marine Iguana

Amblyrhynchus cristatus

Size:approximately 4 feet long

Sex: Male (adult)

Natural Habitat:Rocky shore areas and mangrove forests

Marine Iguanas are the only marine lizards. These squamates are found only in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. These lizards are herbivores feeding on algae growing on marine rocks by diving into the rocky coastal waters and swimming to the bottom. They cannot stay in the water to long as the water temperature is not conducive to maintaining a healthy body temperature as iguanas are ectotherms. Upon returning to the land the organisms immediately bask and expel salts from their body via nasal glands.

I had the privilege of seeing this iguana when I visited the island of Floreana. This particular organism was very aggressive and territorial as the males typically are and upon getting too close the iguana started bobbing his head as a warning signal to those who were intruding upon his territory. These are remarkable organisms that are unfortunately listed as threatened species due to the introducing of feral cats, dogs, and goats to the Galapagos Islands.