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Amblyrhynchus cristatus
The Marine Iguana is a species of Iguana endemic to the Galapagos Islands. They are the only species of lizard capable of diving deep underwater and staying for long periods of time. Marine iguanas are black with red or turquoise tints and measure 2 Ft (0.2 M.) They have large, clawed feet allowing them to climb among the rocky shore. They have even been seen walking on 90° surfaces.
They can dive up to 90 Ft (30 M) underwater, where they forage for algae. They scrape the algae off of rocks using specially designed teeth. The flat head makes it easier for the iguana to collect large chunks of algae. However, the algae is extremely salty, which could cause heart failure, kidney failure or blood clots. The iguana deals with the salt by absorbing it in glands behind the nose. The excess salt is then sneezed out.
The Iguanas live in large colonies along the shores. They live in a symbiotic relationship with Red Rock Crabs and Lava Lizards. The crabs pick off dead skin and ticks from the Iguana’s back and in return the iguanas get a free skin cleaning. Lava lizards scurry around the colony hunting flies that pester the iguanas.
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