Marine Iguana

About the Marine Iguana

The only lizard in the world that forages in the ocean. They dive up to 30 meters to graze on algae. They sneeze out excess salt from specialized glands. They can shrink their body size by up to 20% during food shortages (El Nino years) by reabsorbing bone. Charles Darwin called them hideous-looking. They can hold their breath for 60 minutes. Their dark color helps them absorb heat after cold ocean dives. Over 250,000 exist across the Galapagos. They are vulnerable to climate change and invasive predators. Females lay eggs in burrows they dig 300-800 meters inland.