Page 100 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

REPTILE ON THE ROCKS

MARINE IGUANA

Lizards usually keep their feet firmly on dry land, but here is SEAWEED SNACK
one that is not afraid of getting them wet. On the rocky shores of the The marine iguana has a blunt snout so
it can get its sharp teeth really close to the
Galápagos Islands, off South America, the marine iguana eats nothing
rocks where seaweed grows. It will nibble
but seaweed. Some of this grows above the shoreline, but a large green seaweed, but prefers a red
iguana must take a dip into the ocean to really satisfy its appetite. type that mainly grows
under water.

STATS AND FACTS

TEMPERATURE 52–73°F/11–23°C
(temperature of seawater)
Like all reptiles, a
marine iguana relies °F 50 75 100
on sunshine to
warm its body and °C 15 30 45
stay active. When it 95–102°F/35–39°C (body
temperature when active)
dives into the cold
DIVING DEPTH
ocean, its body
66 ft/20 m (maximum)
temperature falls, so
ft 20 40 60 80
it cannot stay there
for long. Only big
iguanas make dives m 5 10 15 20 25
because smaller
ones lose heat
DIET
too quickly. 95% of seaweed grazed
above sea surface
Skin is largely gray or black,
60 below sea surface develops pink or green patches,
MAX. DIVE DURATION
5% of seaweed grazed
but in the breeding season it
which may flush a deeper color
MINS
Ragged “fin” running along the
back and tail helps control
position while swimming

Long, side-flattened tail
helps provide propulsion
when swimming
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