1. Galapagos Adaptations
THE MARINE IGUANA
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO )
GALAPAGOSCONSERVATION.ORG.UK

2. Thermoregulation and the Marine Iguana
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO )
GALAPAGOSCONSERVATION.ORG.UK

3. What is thermoregulation? Any ideas?
Thermoregulation is the ability of an organism to control its body temperature, even when the surrounding temperature can be different.
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO )
GALAPAGOSCONSERVATION.ORG.UK

4. A daily challenge…
Marine iguanas feed on algae in the sea all year round. With chilly water temperatures of about 15-16°C, how do they keep their bodies warm enough?
Let’s watch the following video to find out more. Be ready for a short quiz after!
Video
Q1 – Where do reptiles get their energy from?
Q2 – What happens to the iguanas during the night?
Q3 – What do the iguanas need to warm themselves up for?
Q4 – The iguanas bodies are black. How does this help?
Q5 – What behavioural adaptations do they use to keep warm?
Q6 - What changes in colour do the thermal cameras show as the iguanas go from being very cold to warm?
Q7 – Once they are warm, what temperature do they keep their bodies at?
Q8 – Why can only the bigger iguanas dive?
Q9 – By how many degrees can their bodies cool down by in a dive?
Q10 – Explain to your partner what thermoregulation is…..
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO )
GALAPAGOSCONSERVATION.ORG.UK

5. Investigate more about thermoregulation and other fascinating facts about the Marine Iguana in our magazine
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO )
GALAPAGOSCONSERVATION.ORG.UK