Wherever there is a rocky shoreline in the Galapagos you will find a marine iguana basking in the sun. Scientists argue that the ancestor of the marine iguana arrived to the Galapagos swimming from the mainland. If so, the marine iguana was a fully land creature. As Darwin witnessed centuries ago the Galapagos present such a survival challenge to any creature that only the most adaptable survive. The marine iguana, not finding enough food within the islands, took to the sea and turned back to the land only for a sunbath.
Life at sea
Marine iguanas are as clumsy on land as they are elegant in water. Their flat tails powerfully propels the iguanas in sinuous movements while their legs hang to the sides. Pushing through waves the male marine iguana reaches areas under the sea where food is more abundant. The females and younglings, on the other hand, remain by the shore feeding from the food nearby.
Attached to the submarine rocks the nutrient-full seaweed makes for a hearty meal. In order to eat it, however, the marine iguanas have evolved a flat face. Their blunt and round face is perfectly adapted to give the iguana better access to the rock-encrusted seaweed and by putting their long claws to good use marine iguanas hold steadily to the rocks withstanding the pounding waves as they feast on green or red seaweed. Yet, along with the algae the iguanas ingest large amounts of salt. Fortunately, a special set of glands in their nostrils help rid themselves of the excess salt — by sneezing it out. Charming.
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Islands where you can spot Galapagos Marine Iguanas
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