Is That an Iguana in the Ocean?

Is That an Iguana in the Ocean?

Date: 10/11

Location: Galapagos Islands

• Marine Iguanas colors vary by the island they live on.
• The iguanas on Espanola are nicknamed “Christmas Iguanas” because of their red coloration.
• They have large flat tails to help them swim along the rocky coasts.
• Only the largest iguanas swim often. They do not lose body heat as much.
• Marine Iguanas have razor sharp teeth that they use to scrape off algae and eat seaweed.

• They sun themselves on lava rocks after being the cold ocean waters.
• During years when food is in shortage, marine iguanas actually get smaller. They are the only known vertebrate to be able to shrink.
• Marine iguanas can live up to 60 years.

We woke up a little late after our evening excursion looking for the rice rats. Once we were up, we headed back on the island to meet it’s little dinosaur looking iguanas! Marine iguanas may not be the cutest, but they are spectacular! We love their knobby heads and spiky spines. Watching them sneeze, is so funny too!