Marine Iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus · Reptile, Vertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Iguanidae, order Squamata, class Reptilia
Animal Category
Reptile/Amphibian
Breed / Variety
Galapagos Marine Iguana subspecies (e.g., Amblyrhynchus cristatus venustissimus)
Conservation Status
IUCN Vulnerable, with a decreasing population trend primarily threatened by introduced predators, El Niño events, and oil spills.
About This Creature
A lizard with a robust body, short snout, and prominent dorsal spines running from the head to the tail. Typically dark gray to black, but certain subspecies or breeding males display vibrant patches of red, green, or turquoise.
Physical Characteristics
Features scaly skin with prominent crest scales, powerful limbs with sharp claws for gripping rocks, a laterally flattened tail for swimming, and a specialized gland to expel excess salt.
Behavior & Temperament
Socially gregarious while basking in large groups on volcanic rocks to absorb heat; highly adept swimmers that forage underwater; docile unless handled or provoked.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Habitat
Ocean/Marine and rocky coastal shores; semi-aquatic
Diet & Nutrition
Herbivorous, feeding almost exclusively on marine algae and seaweed scraped from underwater rocks.
Lifespan & Health
Lifespan ranges up to 12-60 years depending on environmental conditions; natural predators include Galapagos hawks, snakes, and feral animals.
Special Characteristics
The only known extant marine lizard, capable of diving deep into the ocean and reducing its heart rate to conserve oxygen while foraging.
Ecological Information
Acts as a primary herbivore in the rocky coastal intertidal zones, helping to regulate marine algae growth and contributing to nutrient cycling between land and sea.