Galápagos Land Iguana

Galápagos Land Iguana

Galapagos land iguana

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Conolophus subcristatus
Population size
8,618-17,917
Life Span
50-69 years
Weight
11
24
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
0.9-1.5
3-4.9
mft
m ft 

The Galápagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus ) is a very large species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It is one of three species of the genus Conolophus. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, in the dry lowlands of the islands of Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Baltra, and South Plaza.

Appearance

Galápagos land iguanas are large, yellow lizards, one of three species of land iguanas. Being cold-blooded, they absorb heat from the sun by basking on volcanic rock, and at night sleep in burrows to conserve their body heat. These iguanas also enjoy a symbiotic relationship with birds; the birds remove parasites and ticks, providing relief to the iguanas and food for the birds.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Islands
Biogeographical realms

These land iguanas are native to the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) and live in the dry lowlands of Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Baltra, and South Plaza Islands.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Galápagos land iguanas are solitary and territorial reptiles. They are active during the day spending their time foraging or basking on rocks; at night they sleep in burrows.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Land iguanas are primarily herbivorous, however, some individuals may be carnivores supplementing their diet with insects, centipedes, and carrion. Because fresh water is scarce on their island habitats, Galápagos land iguanas obtain the majority of their moisture from the prickly-pear cactus, which makes up 80% of its diet. During the rainy season, they will drink from available standing pools of water and feast on yellow flowers of the genus Portulaca.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
varies with location
INCUBATION PERIOD
90-125 days
BABY NAME
hatchling
web.animal_clutch_size
2-20 eggs

The mating season of Galápagos land iguanas varies between islands. Soon after mating, the females migrate to sandy areas to nest and they may travel up to 15 km (9 miles) to find good nesting sites. They lay 2-20 eggs in a burrow about 50 cm (20 in) deep. The eggs hatch anywhere from 90 to 125 days later. Young iguanas become reproductively mature anywhere between 8 and 15 years of age, depending on which island they are from.

Population

Population threats

The main threat to Galápagos land iguanas comes from introduced animals such as dogs, cats, goats, pigs, and rats who compete with iguanas for food and damage their nests or prey on their eggs and newly hatched young.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Galápagos land iguana is 8,618-17,917 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

References

1. Galápagos Land Iguana on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos_land_iguana
2. Galápagos Land Iguana on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5240/3014082

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