Galapagos Island Marine Iguana Information
With its haphazard spines, mottled, leathery skin and sharp claws, the Galapagos marine iguana looks more like a creature from a frightening science fiction movie than a gentle plant-eating giant. This homely reptile is one of the Galapagos Islands' most famous inhabitants, and one of its biggest draws.
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Habitat
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The Galapagos marine iguana only lives on the shores of the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and the only lizard adapted for sea life.
Color
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Juvenile marine iguanas are black, while adults are a mottled mix of colors ranging from gray to red to green.
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Diet
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Marine iguanas are true herbivores, and eat only red and green algae. Their blunt noses and small sharp teeth help them scrape algae from rocks.
Size
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Adult marine iguanas measure 4 to 5 feet in length and weigh between 1 and 3 lbs. When there is a shortage of food, marine iguanas don't only get thinner; they shrink in length and regrow when food is more abundant.
Predators
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Marine iguanas have no native predators, but young iguanas and eggs are vulnerable to dogs, feral cats and rats that have been introduced to their habitat by humans.
Fun Fact
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The marine iguana has special glands near its nose that allow it to sneeze out excess salt secreted from its blood. The salt often lands on the iguana's head and forms a white "cap."
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References
- Photo Credit Maveric2003/Creative Commons/Flickr
