Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Galápagos.
Image: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Stable
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The marine iguana is the only lizard in the world that forages in the sea, found solely in the Galápagos. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It dives to graze on algae and sneezes out excess salt.
Range & habitat
The coasts of the Galápagos Islands.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Introduced predators (cats, dogs, rats)
- Oil spills and pollution
- Ocean changes such as El Niño
Why it matters
A unique sea-foraging lizard found nowhere else, the marine iguana is an emblem of the Galápagos and of evolution's capacity to adapt animals to new niches.
Gallery
Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), Galápagos.
Image: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Galápagos Marine Iguana
- IUCN Red List — look up Galápagos Marine Iguana (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a lizard feed in the sea?
Why is the marine iguana Vulnerable?
Last updated: