📷 (c) Shawn O'Donnell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
📷 (c) Rob Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY)
📷 (c) Dan Riskin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
IUCN: Vulnerable
Marine Iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassReptilia›OrderSquamata›FamilyIguanidae›GenusAmblyrhynchus
About
The marine iguana is the only modern lizard that regularly forages in the sea. It dives or grazes in the intertidal zone for algae, then basks on dark lava rocks to warm up. Specialized glands sneeze excess salt from its bloodstream, leaving white salt crusts on the head.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Rocky shores, lava coastlines, and nearby coastal waters
🍃Diet Herbivore — mainly marine algae
📏Size & Weight Body 50–100 cm including tail
•weight 0.5–12 kg depending on island and sex
⏳Lifespan 10–20 years
🗺Range Galápagos Islands
ReptileLizard
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Rocky shores, lava coastlines, and nearby coastal waters
🍃Diet Herbivore — mainly marine algae
📏Size & Weight Body 50–100 cm including tail
•weight 0.5–12 kg depending on island and sex
⏳Lifespan 10–20 years
🗺Range Galápagos Islands
Photo Credits
#1(c) Shawn O'Donnell, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#2(c) Rob Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
#3(c) Dan Riskin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY
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