1. Marine Iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus

2. Basic Facts Reptile Herbivore Life span 5 to 12 years Size: 4 to 5 ft Weight: 1 to 3.3Ibs

3. Fun Facts They can dive up to 30 m or 98 ft They can hold their breath for up to 45 minutes The world’s only seafaring lizards Male marine iguanas display bright colors during mating season Marine iguanas love mockingbrids. When the galapagos hawks are on the hunt, Mockingbirds let out a distinct cry. Some iguanas have learned that this means danger and to run for cover.

4. Diet Herbivore Surviving exclusively on underwater algae and seaweed Their short, blunt snouts and small, razor-sharp teeth help them scrape the algae off rocks Their laterally flattened tails let them move crocodile- like through the water

5. Feeding behavior Before feeding the marine iguana must raise its body temperature to approximately 36’C To regulate their body temperature they must bask in the sun for long periods of time Large adults feed frequently, mostly during high tide. Juveniles feed in intertidal zone during low tide

6. Population Their population is not well known Estimates are in the hundreds of thousands Are under constant pressure from non-native predators They are protected throughout the archipelago and are considered vulnerable to extinction

7. Bibliography http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/ marine-iguana/ http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/ marine-iguana/ http://www.arkive.org/galapagos-marine- iguana/amblyrhynchus-cristatus/ http://www.arkive.org/galapagos-marine- iguana/amblyrhynchus-cristatus/ http://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/about- galapagos/biodiversity/reptiles/ http://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/about- galapagos/biodiversity/reptiles/ http://www.redmangrove.com/11-curious-facts-about- galapagos-marine-iguanas/ http://www.redmangrove.com/11-curious-facts-about- galapagos-marine-iguanas/

8. https://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=tO_9zm9tsCs

9. Predators Marine iguanas enjoy a habitat with few predators Known predators are hawks, owls, snakes, crabs, rats, and feral dogs and cats Both adult iguanas and their eggs are preyed upon Females especially are at risk during breeding season in open nesting areas

10. Marine vs Land Land iguanas is a yellowish lizard generally larger in size than the marine iguana Primary food source is the prickly pear cactus It has a very tough leathery mouth Both cold blooded and love baking in the sun

11. Current event Who: “Godzilla” marine iguana What: 5 ft iguana found in the galapagos island Where: Galapagos island When: May 1 st,2016 Its important because their status is to be vulnerable of extinction and spotting more big “godzilla” iguanas is a good sign