Wildlife
Marine iguanas are the only marine lizards on Earth. They are usually grey or black, but develop red or green patches in the mating season, probably from eating particular types of seaweed which are available then.
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Warm up
Marine iguanas heat up before a swim.
Camera technologies such as thermal imaging have allowed filmmakers to explore and explain the natural world by showing us what the naked eye can't see. Here, the thermal image reveals the changing body temperature of marine iguanas. As they bask in the sun, the image turns from cool purple to warm golden yellow - a visual representation of the power source behind these reptiles' cold-blooded existence.
Galapagos lizards
Marine iguanas have adapted to life on these harsh island coasts.
Marine iguanas have adapted to life on these harsh island coasts.
Iconic island reptiles
The fearsome creatures that gave Galapagos its infernal reputation.
The fearsome creatures that gave Galapagos its infernal reputation.
Marine iguanas diving
Cold-blooded iguanas risk chilly water and perilous waves in search of underwater algae.
Cold-blooded iguanas risk chilly water and perilous waves in search of underwater algae.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Marine iguana can be found in a number of locations including: Galápagos. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Marine iguana distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Vulnerable
Population trend: Unknown
Year assessed: 2004
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is an iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea, making it a marine reptile. The iguana can dive over 9 m (30 ft) into the water. It has spread to all the islands in the archipelago, and is sometimes called the Galápagos marine iguana. It mainly lives on the rocky Galápagos shore, but can also be spotted in marshes and mangrove beaches.
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Adapted to swimming
Colonial
Herbivorous
Egg layer
Polygynous
Polymorphism
Territorial