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marine iguanas
By Greg Turner
Growing to approximately 3 ft (1 m) in length these sea-going Iguanas exist only in the Galapagos Islands. Living on the black lava shore rocks they have developed into efficient swimmers feeding off shore mostly on marine algae and seaweed. The cold waters of the Galapagos provide both the necessary food for the Marine Iguanas and its most deadly threats. The cold temperatures can immobilize an iguana if it remains in the water too long. Until the arrival of man, Marine Iguanas only threats were that of larger fish and sharks encountered while swimming. When Marine Iguanas are not feeding they seek safety and warmth of the land. In the 19th century when Charles Darwin visited the islands he found thousands of Marine Iguanas living along the rocky shore. He picked one up and threw it into the ocean it instantly swam back to the shore. This was repeated several times and the Iguana continued to seek the safety of the shore when it could have easily swum off to escape Darwin. The black rocks under the equatorial sun provide needed warmth for the iguanas. On a warm day these rocks can heat up to deadly temperatures. Yet, territorial male Marine Iguanas, remain in the sun during the day. Cooled by a circulatory heat shunt carrying heat from the back to their bellies where the sea breezes coming off the cool ocean waters can cool them by convection. At night the iguanas pile by the hundred in order to provide heat for one another. |
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This intel was contributed by gkt4734
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May, 2012
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