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MARINE IGUANAS OF THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

The marine iguana is the only iguana in the world that is known to go into the sea. It is a strong diver, descending to depths of 35 feet. The dives are usually brief, lasting between 5 to 10 minutes, but the iguana is able to slow its metabolism sufficiently to remain underwater for up to an hour.

The divers are usually the larger males, while the other members of the colony feed intertidally on the exposed lower portions of the rocks. The marine iguana's diet consists almost exclusively of red or green algae-type seaweed.

While marine iguanas can be seen in high concentrations on the Galápagos Islands, their numbers are declining, and their distribution is patchy.

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