Many think of the giant tortoises and maybe even Darwin’s finches when they think of the Galapagos Islands.  Yet, there is another famous animal, which is the Marine Iguana.  This is the only marine lizard and all subspecies are found in this region.  For this reason, it is considered vulnerable due to climate change reducing its food supply, tourism, pollution, and invasive species eating their young.  Being in such a restrained region, they are highly susceptible to having their populations damaged.

Let’s learn about this one-of-a-kind lizards:

1. Males can grow to 4-5 feet while females reach 2-3 feet.
2. There are 11 subspecies with each one on a different island.
3. Marine iguanas feed almost exclusively on algae and seaweed.
4. They can reach depths of 9 feet and hold their breath for 60 minutes.  They usually settle for around 40 minutes though.
5. Their flat tails are used to propel them through the water. Sharp claws are used to move across rocks as well.
6. Their black coloration helps them absorb heat and stay warm when they dive underwater.
7. Males become colorful during mating season.  They go from mostly black to blue, red, pink, and green.
8. They are hunted by Galapagos hawks, but adults can outrun these predators if they spot the attack.
9. Mockingbirds will give a warning call when they see the hawks, which helps the iguanas.
10. Finches, lava lizards, mockingbirds, tiny crabs, and fish will eat ticks and other parasites off the iguana’s bodies.
11. They have special glands that allow them to sneeze out saltwater.
12. Marine iguanas are fully protected under the laws of Ecuador.
13. An issue with removing introduced predators comes from cats and dogs.  The feral dogs eat larger iguanas, but also keep the feral cats under control.  Remove the dogs and the cat population increases to cause trouble.  Only the plus side, black rats were fully removed in 2012.

Time for some pictures and videos: