THE MARINE IGUANA

HABITAT

• Makes caves under the sea floor, the Iguana can do this because it digs tunnels under the sand to provide access
• Goes on land to mate and catch bugs
• Spends most of it's time in and under the water

DIET

• Mostly eats fish and small crabs
• Also eats algae and other plants

SIZE, WEIGHT & POPULATION

• Marine iguanas can grow up to 50-100 cm (29-32 in.)
• They can also weigh up to 22 pounds!
• Sadly due to the effects of El Niño there are only about 100-200 thousand left in the world

REPRODUCTION

• In mating season most of the males will turn bright colors like red, blue, or even green
• Also they get extremely hostile and protective of their females and their territory

ADAPTATIONS

• It has incredibly sharp and durable claws for tearing apart rocks
• It can also change colors like the chameleon to attract females

INTERESTING FACTS

• The iguana make tunnels to underwater dens
• Eats rocks to consume the iron they need
• Has learned that the mocking bird makes a certain sound when Hawks are on the hunt

RELATIVES

• The lava lizard
• Any other island dwelling iguana

ENEMIES

• One of it's greatest enemies is the heron
• Others include snakes or other galapagos birds of prey

THE END