Marine Iguana

The marine iguana , scientifically known as Amblyrhynchus cristatus , is the only lizard in the world that takes to the sea . Markedly different in appearance , size , and physical attributes , than its land-living cousin . As one of the many varieties of iguana that Darwin observed in the Galapagos Islands , the marine iguana demonstrates an evolutionary response to a particular set of environmental challenges and has offered marine and land biologists alike the opportunity to study one of the true cross-over species . The discovery of this iguana variant was part clearly , of the evidence that

led so many scientists to immediately see the logic and accuracy of what Darwin had discovered Understanding the marine iguana 's habitat , diet , behavioral patterns survival techniques , and outlook is the purpose of this examination . It is intended to gain a broad understanding of how the marine iguana lives , breeds , and survives

First discovered by Charles Darwin , aboard the Beagle , while touring the Galapagos Islands , the marine iguana , or Amblyrhynchus cristatus became one of the most remarkable finds of that journey . The marine iguana is distinguished from other iguanas by their short , blunt snouts and slightly laterally compressed tail that efficiently moves this lizard along the surface or beneath the water (Amblyrhynchus cristatus , Marine Iguana - MarineBio .org . Retrieved Monday , April 9 2007 , from HYPERLINK "http /marinebio .org /species .asp ?id 165 http /marinebio .org /species .asp ?id 165 ) The marine iguana is of a similar length to the full-grown land iguanas (reaching two to three feet from nose to tail ) and can weigh up to eight pounds . The color of the marine iguana is quite closely matched to the black volcanic rocks in which it lives . While there are no natural predators of the marine iguana on land , thus making the evolutionary argument for the coloring of the creature to be necessary for camouflage , there are very specific benefits - primarily being that of heat absorption . In the water however , predators abound

The marine iguana , living both on land and in the ocean , and being a cold-blooded creature , requires an adjustment time when going from hot to cold and heat-absorbing coloring , such as the dark black dominant color on the marine iguana helps to reduce that shift in temperatures and helps to return the iguana to normal speed of functioning faster The marine iguana , like all reptiles , does not have the ability to thermoregulate which also accounts for the dark coloring as a necessary boost in the absorption of heat from the sun . This ability is absolutely critical to the marine iguana 's pursuit of food . All reptiles will physically slow down to a near halt the colder they get Therefore , in to prevent an absolute cessation of movement during a dive , the marine iguana must raise its body temperature to combat the nearly 10degree-Celsius loss that comes from an average dive . In fact heat is a very significant part of the marine iguana 's life . They must warm themselves to dive , but they also must maintain a...