Iguana / Lizard
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The Land Iguana is a large member of the lizard family (5 feet long, 30 pounds). There are 2 species on the islands.The two above are Cnolophus subcristatus. (The other, C. pallidus, is much rarer). Note the beautiful yellow ridge of spines on this adult male's head. This species is threatened by the predation of its eggs, and the adult itself, by descendents of feral cats, dogs and pigs brought to the islands by the early settlers. [Galopagos Islands].
Another Land Iguana without the coloration of the previous one. Young female? [Galopagus Islands].
This Lava Lizard's red throat indicates that it is a female. The species has a wide variety of colors depending on its sex and habitat. Its diet is primarily insects, and it is frequently the victim of large birds. When seized by the tail, it has the ability to escape by detaching its tail, and then regrowing it. [Galapagos Islands].
There are 7 subspecies of Marine Iguanas. They are the only true marine lizard in the world, because they are able to live and forage in the sea. The iguanas, like the tortoises, lay their eggs on land which makes them subject to egg-predation by the feral animals, but they also may lay their eggs in rock crevices of the sea wall, thus making them less vulnerable to predation.The white plaques on the body are dried salt. [Galapagos Islands].
A sun-bathing young male Marine Iguana. [Galapagos Islands].
A large group of Marine Iguana sunning themselves. [Galopagus Islands].
While hiking in the Baja one early morning, I found this Chuckawalla Lizard lying on a rock. It is quite large, measuring about 4 feet in length with a girth of about 25 inches. It seemed content to have me photograph it while it warmed itself in the morning sun. [Baja, Mexico].
A Green Iguana is a moderate-sized lizard, widely distributed in Central & South America and southern Mexico. [Baja, Mexico]..
