Marine Iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus
Fun Facts About Marine Iguanas
Marine iguanas are the only lizards in the world that feed in the ocean!
Marine iguanas have razor-sharp teeth to scrape algae off of rocks.
They are impressive swimmers that can swim more than 60-ft below the surface!
Where Do Marine Iguanas Live?
Marine iguanas are only found on the Galapagos Islands, which are a chain of small islands located about 600-miles off the coast of South America. These volcanic islands are covered in rocky cliffs and shorelines along with sandy beaches.
What Do Marine Iguanas Eat?
Marine iguanas are the only lizard in the world that finds their food in the ocean! Like other iguanas, marine iguanas are herbivores. They feed on algae that grow up to 60-ft below the surface of the ocean.
What Do Marine Iguanas Look Like?
Marine iguanas are mostly grey-black in color with a stocky body and a powerful tail they use for swimming! They have a short snout and sharp teeth that are perfectly designed for scraping algae off of rocks. Marine iguanas look slightly different based on the island they are found on with their colors ranging from blue to pink to yellow!
Marine Iguana Adaptations
Claws
Marine iguanas have sharp, hooked claws that help them grip onto rocks while they feed. This prevents them from being washed out to sea on strong ocean currents.
Teeth
Marine iguanas have very sharp teeth that they use to scrape large amounts of algae from rocks. Their short, blunt snout allows them to scrape off large amounts of algae.
Tail
Like a crocodile or alligator, marine iguanas use their powerful tails to propel themselves through the water. They must be strong swimmers to navigate coastal waters.
Snalt
To avoid being overrun with salt, marine iguanas have special glands to remove salt from their blood. Then, the salt is expelled from their bodies through a sneeze (hence the name "snalt" - a sneeze filled with salt!).
How Did Marine Iguanas Get to the Galapagos Islands?
Scientists think that, because the Galapagos Islands were never attached to the mainland, marine iguanas floated to the islands from South America on rafts of vegetation.
How Long Can a Marine Iguana Hold Their Breath?
Marine iguanas can hold their breath for up to 10-minutes! Since they do not have gills, they must be able to hold their breath for extended periods while they dive.
How Deep Can a Marine Iguana Dive?
Marine iguanas can dive more than 60-ft below the surface of the ocean to reach the algae they feed on! At these depths, the pressure is high and the temperature is quite cold.
Why Are Marine Iguanas Such Good Swimmers?
Marine iguanas are powerful swimmers thanks to their long, wide tails. They hold their arms and legs at their sides and use their tail to propel themselves forward in a snake-like motion.
Marine Iguana Reproduction
The marine iguanas typically breed during a specific season and the exact time can vary between islands! Males will compete with other males to defend their territory and impress females. Once they breed, females will lay their eggs in sand or volcanic ash and defend them for a few days before leaving the nest to resume normal behaviors. After about 3-months, eggs hatch and baby marine iguanas start their lives!
Marine Iguanas Lounging Around
As marine iguanas swim down to the algae growing deep below the ocean's surface, the water temperature gets very cold. Because they are ectotherms (cold-blooded), being cold for too long makes it hard for their bodies to function properly. To warm up, marine iguanas bask in the sun, sometimes in huge groups! Their dark bodies help them absorb sunlight which helps them warm up quickly.
Marine Iguanas Have Friends!
Marine iguanas have a mutualistic relationship with many species on the Galapagos Islands, meaning both species benefit each other! Parasites and other organisms frequently live on or around marine iguana, which provide an easy food source for birds, crabs, and smaller lizards. The smaller animals get a free meal and the marine iguanas get cleaned of all their parasites!
Are Marine Iguanas Endangered?
IUCN Rating: Vulnerable
Marine iguana populations fluctuate heavily with weather patterns. In years where algae growth is reduced, the marine iguana populations have been recorded dropping significantly. Their populations are also affected directly by humans and other animals on the island. While marine iguanas do have natural predators, the introduction of domestic dogs and cats that prey on the iguanas has reduced their population. The growing number of people living on the Galapagos Islands, along with hundreds of thousands of tourists, can negatively impact the iguanas. You can help save marine iguanas by reducing your waste production and your energy use. You can also help local conservationists conserve marine iguana populations by donating here!
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