The Galapagos Land Iguana is a large reptile native to the Galapagos Islands.
It’s known for its unique appearance, featuring a stocky body, short legs, and a spiky crest of scales on its head and neck.
These iguanas are herbivorous and primarily feed on cacti and other vegetation.
This species played a crucial role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution due to their adaptation to different island environments.
Galapagos Land Iguana Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The Galapagos Land Iguana belongs to the Iguanidae family of Lizards. This essentially means that the lizard is an Iguana.
Some species of Iguana are common in the pet trade such as the Green Iguana and the Fijian Iguana but there are actually 8 different genera and around 35 different species in the family.
This number can vary greatly depending on what literature you read. The Iguanidae family is heavily debated and changes all the time, with many groups of lizards sometimes classed under sub-families of Iguanidae.
If you were to include all of these ‘sub-families’ as genuine, there would be around 1,000 species in the family.
However, most experts agree that this isn’t the case and classify all of these lizards under the same sub-order.
As a result, it can be taken that all of these species can be considered part of the Iguana complex, but only the species in the family Iguanidae can be considered ‘True Iguanas’.
The species in this family can be quite diverse and live very different lifestyles. Some species are terrestrial, some are arboreal and others can be rock-dwelling lizards.
Genus
The genus that the Galapagos Land Iguana belongs to is called Conolophus. This is a genus of island Iguanas native to the Galapagos Islands.
There are currently 3 recognised species in this genus with the other two being the Galapagos Pink Land Iguana and the Barrington Island Iguana.
Species
The scientific name for the Galapagos Land Iguana is Conolophus subcristatus and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
This species was first described in 1831 by a British Zoologist named John Edward Gray.
Galapagos Land Iguana Description
The Galapagos Land Iguana can grow to be quite large, with males typically being larger than females. Adult males can reach lengths of up to 1 meter including their tail, while females are usually slightly smaller.
They have a stout and robust body shape, with a rounded belly. Their body is adapted for a primarily terrestrial lifestyle, as opposed to the more arboreal iguanas found in other parts of the world.
Their skin is covered in rough, bumpy scales that help protect them from the harsh environment of the Galapagos Islands.
These scales can vary in color from yellowish to brown or grey, which helps them blend into their surroundings.
One of the most distinctive features of the Galapagos Land Iguana is the prominent crest of pointed scales that runs down their back, from the neck to the base of the tail.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Galapagos Land Iguana is endemic to the Galapagos Islands, which are a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean.
They can be found on several of the islands in the Galapagos group, including Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Baltra, and South Plaza.
Each of these islands has its own distinct population of Galapagos Land Iguanas, which have adapted to the specific environmental conditions of their respective islands.
Their restricted geographical range is a result of their isolation on these remote islands, which has led to the development of unique species and subspecies found nowhere else in the world.
The habitat of the Galapagos Land Iguana varies depending on the specific island they inhabit.
Generally, their habitat consists of arid and semi-arid regions, characterized by volcanic landscapes, rocky terrain, and sparse vegetation.
They are also found in areas with dry grasslands, low-lying shrubs, and cacti, which make up a significant portion of their diet.
Galapagos Land Iguana Behaviour
The Galapagos Land Iguana is primarily a herbivorous reptiles, which means they mainly feed on plant matter.
Their diet consists mainly of cacti, leaves, fruits, and flowers. They have specialized adaptations that allow them to digest tough and fibrous plant material.
These iguanas are known for their relatively slow and deliberate movement. They are often seen sunbathing on rocks or seeking shade in crevices to regulate their body temperature.
Basking helps them absorb heat from the sun, which is crucial for their metabolism and overall activity.
During the breeding season, which typically occurs between January and April, the Galapagos Land Iguana will become more active and exhibit territorial behaviours.
Males engage in dominance displays, including head bobbing and push-ups, to establish their territory and attract females.
Females lay eggs in burrows or sandy areas and after hatching, the young iguanas are independent and must fend for themselves.
