Home › Reptilia › Iguanidae › Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Amblyrhynchus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Reptilia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to the Galápagos Islands
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Rocky coasts and shallow reefs
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Squamata
FAMILY
Iguanidae
GENUS
Amblyrhynchus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.3 m long incl. tail
COLORATION
Black to grey; males flush red and green in breeding season
ADAPTATIONS
Only sea-going lizard; sneezes out excess salt after feeding
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rocky coasts and shallow reefs
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to the Galápagos Islands
REPRODUCTION
1-6 eggs buried in sand
DIET DETAILS
Marine algae grazed from rocks
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
El Niño events, introduced predators, oil spills
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The world's only marine lizard, it dives up to 20 m to graze on seaweed.
2
It can shrink its own body length in lean years and regrow it when food returns.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina
Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Find them basking on black lava shorelines at midday; snorkellers may see them grazing underwater.
