The marine iguana is the only lizard in the world that goes into the sea to forage

The marine iguana generally refers to the marine iguana, a reptile of the genus Amblyrhynchus in the family Iguanidae, and it is also the only lizard in the world that goes into the sea to forage. They are found only on Ecuador's Galapagos Islands and the surrounding waters, and mostly inhabit the volcanic rocky areas along the coast. Thanks to this unique way of life, the marine iguana has become a widely noticed representative of ocean-adapted reptiles.

Unlike most lizards, the marine iguana is dark gray or black all over, which helps it absorb sunlight and warm up as quickly as possible after coming out of the water. Its tail is laterally flattened and good for paddling in the water, and its long, sharp claws can grip the reefs firmly so it is not swept away by the waves. Because it frequently comes into contact with seawater, it has specialized salt glands near its nose and expels excess salt by sneezing. Adult males are noticeably larger than females, and some individuals can reach about one meter in total length including the tail.

The marine iguana feeds almost entirely on seaweed, using its blunt, short snout to graze algae from the rock surface on the seabed. Larger males can dive into deeper water to feed, while juveniles and females mostly forage in the intertidal zone after the tide goes out. As an ectothermic animal, it needs to bask in the sun sufficiently to store up heat before entering the water, and after coming ashore it must lie on the rocks for a long time to warm up and restore its body temperature.

The marine iguana is a strictly protected wild animal, and keeping it privately and international trade in it are both restricted. Introduced predatory animals such as cats and dogs, as well as seaweed shortages caused by abnormal climate, are the main threats they face in the wild. To learn more about lizards, you can also compare and read related entries such as the difference between geckos and lizards.