Galapagos Marine Iguana

Description:

Seen Puerto Egas, south of James Bay and west side of Santiago Isaland in the Galapagos swimming by what is known as "Darwins toilet" a lava outcrop where the tide rushes in and out in a motion like a toilet flushing. Marine Iguana's only exist in the Galapagos. During the day they can be found laying on the hot black lava rocks and around the edges on tidal pools if the rocks become very hot. They keep themselves cool by a circulatory heat shunt carrying heat from the back to their bellies where the sea breezes coming off the cool ocean waters can cool them by convection. At night the iguanas can be seen piled up in order to provide heat for one another.These lizards can grow up to 1 metre (3ft) in length and can often be seen swimming and feeding offshore on seaweed and marine algae.