Marine Iguana | Oceana
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Marine Life Encyclopedia

Sea Turtles & Reptiles

Marine Iguana

Amblyrhynchus cristatus

Distribution

Restricted to the Galapagos Islands

ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT

Beaches and rocky shores

FEEDING HABITS

Herbivore

TAXONOMY

Order Squamata (snakes, lizards, and relatives), Family Iguanidae (iguanas)

Marine iguanas are the only lizards on Earth that spends time in the ocean. They live only on the Galapagos Islands, and like many Galapagos species, they have adapted to an island lifestyle. Populations across the archipelago have been isolated from each other for so long that each island has its own subspecies.

Marine iguanas are most noted for their ability to feed in shallow, marine waters. They are herbivores and eat marine algae growing along rocky shores and underwater. In the water, they swim with a snake-like motion and hold themselves against the bottom with their long claws in order to graze. Though they feed in the water, marine iguanas are predominately terrestrial. They are often observed warming themselves in the sun, and they nest along the shore.

Marine iguanas are also known for their very efficient salt glands, where they “sneeze” out salt. Because they feed underwater, they ingest a large amount of saltwater. In order to prevent dehydration, they must expel salt without expelling water, so they have specialized glands that remove salt from their blood. They also have the incredible ability to shrink (in length and in overall size). In times of reduced food availability – particularly during El Niño climate events – they may shrink by as much as 20%. The now smaller individuals require less food. Once their preferred algae return to high levels, they quickly regain the lost size.

As a result of their very small geographic area, marine iguanas are thought to be vulnerable to extinction. They have complete legal protection in the Galapagos Islands, but invasive species continue to threaten subspecies on some islands. Cats, dogs, pigs, germs, and other species brought to the islands by humans attack marine iguana eggs and juveniles. It is very difficult to eradicate invasive species from islands, so this problem is likely to continue to threaten marine iguana populations.

Fun Facts About Marine Iguanas

1. Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands and are the only marine lizard species in the world.

2. Marine iguanas can dive more than 65 feet (20 m) underwater.1

3. Unlike land lizards, marine iguanas have blunt snouts that help them feed on algae underwater. They also have flattened tails that help them swim efficiently.

4. Marine iguanas typically spend only a few minutes underwater eating but can spend up to 30 minutes at a time submerged.

5. Male marine iguanas can grow to 4.3 feet (1.3 m) long, while females are generally about 2 feet (0.6 m) long.2

6. Marine iguanas “sneeze out” excess salt their body collects while underwater through a nasal gland.3

7. It is believed that around 4.5 million years ago, marine iguanas evolved from land iguanas that were brought to the Galapagos and adapted to a sea-faring life in order to survive on the islands.4

Engage Youth with Sailors for the Sea

Oceana joined forces with Sailors for the Sea, an ocean conservation organization dedicated to educating and engaging the world’s boating community. Sailors for the Sea developed the KELP (Kids Environmental Lesson Plans) program to create the next generation of ocean stewards. Click here or below to download hands-on marine science activities for kids.

Kids Environmental Lesson Plans

References:

1 IUCN Red List

2 The MarineBio Conservation Society

3 Cornell University Department of Geological Sciences

4 Proceedings of the Royal Society

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