The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), also known as the sea iguana, saltwater iguana, or Galápagos marine iguana, is a species of iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador). Unique among modern lizards, it is a marine reptile that has the ability to forage in the sea for algae, which makes up almost all of its diet. [3] .

The much-maligned marine iguanas of the Galápagos Islands are so famously homely, even Charles Darwin piled on, describing them as "hideous-looking" and "most disgusting, clumsy lizards."

The marine iguana is the only lizard in the world with the ability to live and forage at sea, and is endemic to the Galapagos Archipelago. There are eleven very similar subspecies, found on different islands, with those from Isabela and Fernandina being the largest.

Marine Iguanas, found only on the Galapagos Islands, are the only lizards on Earth that spend time in the ocean. Learn more about them and how you can help protect them.

Marine Iguanas are found throughout the Galapagos Islands, but nowhere else in the world, which makes them yet another endemic creature of the Galapagos Isles. The largest populations and the largest individuals, are found in the western islands of the archipelago.

2024年3月1日 · As the world’s only seagoing lizard, the marine iguana has evolved to adapt to the harsh marine environment over millions of years. Marine iguanas mainly inhabit the rocky shores along the coastlines of the Galápagos Islands. They can forage in the ocean, diving underwater to feast on nutrient-rich marine Algae and seaweeds.

Marine iguanas are reptiles endemic to the Galápagos Archipelago, located just over 900 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are home to subspecies of these lizards, each differing in size, shape and colour.

Surviving almost entirely on algae, these lizards, some of which grow longer than four feet, evolved flat tails for swimming and glands that filter and remove excess salt (which they expel...

2025年1月6日 · Marine iguanas also have wide-set eyes, blunt snouts, sharp teeth and flattened tails. Charles Darwin famously described the Galapagos marine iguanas as "hideous-looking" and the "most disgusting, clumsy lizards.". While their features may make them awkward-looking on land, their sharp teeth are ideal for scraping algae off rocks underwater, and their flattened tails make them excellent ...

2024年2月28日 · The Marine Iguana is one of 28 species of reptiles recorded in the Galapagos. Learn about the Galapagos Marine Iguanas here with Quasar Expeditions.