Galapagos dives with Scuba Iguana
Bartholome, Cousins Rock, North Seymour and Gordon Rocks
Marine iguanas, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
The marine iguana is an iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea, making it a marine reptile. The iguana can dive over 9 m (30 ft) into the water. It has spread to all the islands in the archipelago, and is sometimes called the Galápagos marine iguana. It mainly lives on the rocky Galápagos shore, but can also be spotted in marshes and mangrove beaches. On his visit to the islands, Charles Darwin was revolted by the animals' appearance, writing: The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (60--90 cm (2.0--3.0 ft), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them 'imps of darkness'. They assuredly well become the land they inhabit. Amblyrhynchus cristatus is not always black; the young have a lighter coloured dorsal stripe, and some adult specimens are grey, and adult males vary in colour with the season. Dark tones allow the lizards to rapidly absorb heat to minimize the period of lethargy after emerging from the water. Breeding-season adult males on the southern islands (Española, Floreana and nearby islets) are the most colourful and will acquire red and teal-green colours, while on Santa Cruz they are brick red and black, and on Fernandina they are brick red and dull greenish. Another difference between the iguanas is size, which is different depending on the island the individual iguana inhabits. The iguanas living on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela (named for the famous rulers of Spain) are the largest found anywhere in the Galápagos. On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest iguanas are found on the island on Genovesa. Adult males are up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) long, females 0.6--1 metre (2.0--3.3 ft), males weigh up to 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb). The marine iguana lacks agility on land but is a graceful swimmer. Its laterally flattened tail and spiky dorsal fins aid in propulsion, while its long, sharp claws allow it to hold onto rocks in strong currents. Its diet consists of seaweed and algae. A flat snout and sharp teeth enable it to browse on algae growing on rocks. A nasal gland filters its blood for excess salt ingested while eating, which is expelled through the nostrils, often leaving white patches of salt on its face. As an ectothermic animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in cold water diving for algae. Dives of more than 15 m may last up to half an hour. Afterwards it basks in the sun to warm up. Until it can do so it is unable to move effectively, making it vulnerable to predation. Marine iguanas become highly defensive when in this state, biting at potential threats. During the breeding season males assemble large harems of females, which they guard aggressively against rivals. Marine iguanas have been found to change their size to adapt to varying food conditions. During an El Niño cycle in which food diminished for two years, some were found to decrease their length by as much as 20%. When food supply returned to normal, iguana size followed suit. It is speculated that the bones of the iguanas actually shorten as shrinkage of connective tissue could only account for a 10% change in length. Research suggests iguanas secrete a stress hormone that induces decreased skeletal size. El Niño conditions also increase mortality among larger-bodied iguanas, which take longer after foraging trips to warm up and digest algae consumed than smaller-bodied iguanas. Thus the latter are able to make more feeding excursions in a given day. The marine iguana is completely protected under the laws of Ecuador, and is listed under CITES Appendix II. Decreases in food supply due to El Niño cause periodic major declines in population. The species is threatened by predation by introduced species such as cats and dogs, which prey particularly upon its young. The total population size is unknown, but is, according to IUCN, at least 50,000, and estimates from the Charles Darwin Research Station are in the hundreds of thousands. Researchers theorize that land iguanas and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor since arriving on the islands from South America, presumably by rafting. It is thought that the ancestral species inhabited a part of the volcanic archipelago that is now submerged. The two species remain mutually fertile, and occasionally hybridize where their ranges overlap.
Diving Galapagos compilation dive sites from Santa Cruz Puerto Ayora with Scuba Iguana (Kurt & Ahd).
Dive Sites Gordons Rock - Floreana - Bartolomé - Cousins - Seymour - Mosquera - Beagle - Daphne . Music by Mathias & Marina Espinosa.
Marine iguana, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
The marine iguana is an iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to live and forage in the sea, making it a marine reptile. The iguana can dive over 9 m (30 ft) into the water. It has spread to all the islands in the archipelago, and is sometimes called the Galápagos marine iguana. It mainly lives on the rocky Galápagos shore, but can also be spotted in marshes and mangrove beaches. On his visit to the islands, Charles Darwin was revolted by the animals' appearance, writing: The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (60--90 cm (2.0--3.0 ft), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them 'imps of darkness'. They assuredly well become the land they inhabit. Amblyrhynchus cristatus is not always black; the young have a lighter coloured dorsal stripe, and some adult specimens are grey, and adult males vary in colour with the season. Dark tones allow the lizards to rapidly absorb heat to minimize the period of lethargy after emerging from the water. Breeding-season adult males on the southern islands (Española, Floreana and nearby islets) are the most colourful and will acquire red and teal-green colours, while on Santa Cruz they are brick red and black, and on Fernandina they are brick red and dull greenish. Another difference between the iguanas is size, which is different depending on the island the individual iguana inhabits. The iguanas living on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela (named for the famous rulers of Spain) are the largest found anywhere in the Galápagos. On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest iguanas are found on the island on Genovesa. Adult males are up to 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) long, females 0.6--1 metre (2.0--3.3 ft), males weigh up to 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lb). The marine iguana lacks agility on land but is a graceful swimmer. Its laterally flattened tail and spiky dorsal fins aid in propulsion, while its long, sharp claws allow it to hold onto rocks in strong currents. Its diet consists of seaweed and algae. A flat snout and sharp teeth enable it to browse on algae growing on rocks. A nasal gland filters its blood for excess salt ingested while eating, which is expelled through the nostrils, often leaving white patches of salt on its face. As an ectothermic animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in cold water diving for algae. Dives of more than 15 m may last up to half an hour. Afterwards it basks in the sun to warm up. Until it can do so it is unable to move effectively, making it vulnerable to predation. Marine iguanas become highly defensive when in this state, biting at potential threats. During the breeding season males assemble large harems of females, which they guard aggressively against rivals. Marine iguanas have been found to change their size to adapt to varying food conditions. During an El Niño cycle in which food diminished for two years, some were found to decrease their length by as much as 20%. When food supply returned to normal, iguana size followed suit. It is speculated that the bones of the iguanas actually shorten as shrinkage of connective tissue could only account for a 10% change in length. Research suggests iguanas secrete a stress hormone that induces decreased skeletal size. El Niño conditions also increase mortality among larger-bodied iguanas, which take longer after foraging trips to warm up and digest algae consumed than smaller-bodied iguanas. Thus the latter are able to make more feeding excursions in a given day. The marine iguana is completely protected under the laws of Ecuador, and is listed under CITES Appendix II. Decreases in food supply due to El Niño cause periodic major declines in population. The species is threatened by predation by introduced species such as cats and dogs, which prey particularly upon its young. The total population size is unknown, but is, according to IUCN, at least 50,000, and estimates from the Charles Darwin Research Station are in the hundreds of thousands. Researchers theorize that land iguanas and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor since arriving on the islands from South America, presumably by rafting. It is thought that the ancestral species inhabited a part of the volcanic archipelago that is now submerged. The two species remain mutually fertile, and occasionally hybridize where their ranges overlap.
Marine Iguanas Puerto Ayora Galapagos Islands
Marine Iguanas are plentiful around the coastline of Puerto Ayora in the Galapagos Islands. They rest in the sun on the volcanic rocks around the shore and dive in the sea for seaweed. Background music is Up Above by Letterbox.
Marine Iguanas on the sand on Española Island, Galapagos, Ecuador
The Marine Iguana is the only sea-going lizard. It is an endemic species to the Galapagos Islands and related to the Land Iguana, which also lives on these islands.
Española is the oldest island of the Galapagos islands, at around 3.5 million years, and the southernmost in the group. Its name was given in honor of Spain.
Las Grietas, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Las Grietas are volcanic rock walls where it enters the sea. They are spectacular and the path that leads to them offers very interesting natural features (beaches, mangroves, iguanas breeding areas, salt). Be part of the other side of the port of Puerto Ayora and you just have to follow directions. Wear good shoes because the trail is quite rocky in some sections. You can not do any other way. Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora at night on the Island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Fresh Water Swimming in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos on the Island of Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands, with more than 12,000 inhabitants. Puerto Ayora has the best developed infrastructure in the archipelago. The larger of the two Galápagos banks, Banco del Pacifico, is located in Puerto Ayora, as well as schools, hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, marine stores, tourist shops and night clubs. It is the best place in Galápagos for communicating with the outside world via numerous cybercafes with Internet access or telephone offices. Puerto Ayora emergency medical facilities include a new hospital opened in 2006 and the island's only hyperbaric chamber. The main Avenue is named Avenida Charles Darwin and begins on the main dock of Puerto Ayora and finish in the Charles Darwin Research Station. Home to both the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts. Island visitors may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the history of the islands and future conservation plans. North Seymour Island is an hour away by boat and has a wide array of animals with no people living on the island. Tortuga Bay is a short walk from center of Puerto Ayora where you can view marine iguanas, birds, galapagos crabs and a natural mangrove where you can spot white tip reef sharks and the gigantic galápagos tortoise. Puerto Ayora has a protected location, along the shores of Academy Bay, where a refreshing breeze often provides pleasant weather. Temperatures vary between 18 and 29 °C (64 and 82 °F). The hot season usually runs from December to May.The Itabaca Channel is located between two islands in the Galápagos, Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour Island and Santa Cruz Island. The Itabaca Channel is used by water taxis who take people from Baltra to Santa Cruz. Academy Bay is a busy harbor, normally full of boats cruising the islands, passing private yachts and local fishing boats. This bay is a good location to spot brown pelicans, golden rays, marine iguanas, herons, lava gulls, frigate birds, Galápagos sea lions, and large numbers of blue-footed boobies, which fish by spectacular plunge diving. Fresh water is at a premium on the island and in this town. Locals practice water conservation and typically collect rainwater during the rainy season. There is a desalination plant on the island. Many facilities have separate water systems with varying degrees of use/quality. For example, water used for cleaning/showering may not be potable.
Iguanas of galapagos - 09.2019 - Ecuador.
Iguanas of galapagos during liveaboard diving - 09.2019 - Ecuador.
Pescadería en Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Scuba Diving with Galápagos Marine Iguanas
This video is about scuba diving with Galapagos Marine #Iguanas in Ecuador. This was one of the best wildlife and #sealife experience I've had so far. Here are a few fun facts:
- #Galapagos Marine Iguanas are the world’s only sea-going #lizards
- Marine #Iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos #Islands
- Marine Iguanas cannot breathe #underwater but can hold their breath for 30-40 minutes
- It is only species of Iguana that has the ability to forage in the #sea
- Marine Iguanas feeds almost exclusively on #algae and #seaweed
- They use their mighty tails to help propel them through the water
- Their powerful limbs and strong claws help them cling to rocks
- Their daily feeding times depend greatly on the tide and water temperatures
- Galapagos Marine Iguanas are most active during the day
- They mainly live in colonies on rocky shores
- Male Marine Iguanas have a row of long spines on its head and along its back and tail
- The greatest threat to Marine Iguanas has been El Nino. Warmer water causes algae they eat to die.
#Dive #Travel Group:
#Liveaboard :
To view more of my diving adventures, please visit my underwater image site for both videos and photographs -
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Galapagos Marine Iguana Snorkel Video
Puerto Ayora Galapagos, die Fischer kommen heim
dutzende Pelikane und ein Seeloewe warten ob da beim Fischputzen was fuer sie abfaellt.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador, South America
Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora at night on the Island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Fresh Water Swimming in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos on the Island of Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands, with more than 12,000 inhabitants. Puerto Ayora has the best developed infrastructure in the archipelago. The larger of the two Galápagos banks, Banco del Pacifico, is located in Puerto Ayora, as well as schools, hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, marine stores, tourist shops and night clubs. It is the best place in Galápagos for communicating with the outside world via numerous cybercafes with Internet access or telephone offices. Puerto Ayora emergency medical facilities include a new hospital opened in 2006 and the island's only hyperbaric chamber. The main Avenue is named Avenida Charles Darwin and begins on the main dock of Puerto Ayora and finish in the Charles Darwin Research Station. Home to both the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts. Island visitors may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the history of the islands and future conservation plans. North Seymour Island is an hour away by boat and has a wide array of animals with no people living on the island. Tortuga Bay is a short walk from center of Puerto Ayora where you can view marine iguanas, birds, galapagos crabs and a natural mangrove where you can spot white tip reef sharks and the gigantic galápagos tortoise. Puerto Ayora has a protected location, along the shores of Academy Bay, where a refreshing breeze often provides pleasant weather. Temperatures vary between 18 and 29 °C (64 and 82 °F). The hot season usually runs from December to May.The Itabaca Channel is located between two islands in the Galápagos, Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour Island and Santa Cruz Island. The Itabaca Channel is used by water taxis who take people from Baltra to Santa Cruz. Academy Bay is a busy harbor, normally full of boats cruising the islands, passing private yachts and local fishing boats. This bay is a good location to spot brown pelicans, golden rays, marine iguanas, herons, lava gulls, frigate birds, Galápagos sea lions, and large numbers of blue-footed boobies, which fish by spectacular plunge diving. Fresh water is at a premium on the island and in this town. Locals practice water conservation and typically collect rainwater during the rainy season. There is a desalination plant on the island. Many facilities have separate water systems with varying degrees of use/quality. For example, water used for cleaning/showering may not be potable.
Sea Lion in Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz Island Galapagos Ecuador
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador, South America
Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora at night on the Island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Fresh Water Swimming in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos on the Island of Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands, with more than 12,000 inhabitants. Puerto Ayora has the best developed infrastructure in the archipelago. The larger of the two Galápagos banks, Banco del Pacifico, is located in Puerto Ayora, as well as schools, hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, marine stores, tourist shops and night clubs. It is the best place in Galápagos for communicating with the outside world via numerous cybercafes with Internet access or telephone offices. Puerto Ayora emergency medical facilities include a new hospital opened in 2006 and the island's only hyperbaric chamber. The main Avenue is named Avenida Charles Darwin and begins on the main dock of Puerto Ayora and finish in the Charles Darwin Research Station. Home to both the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts. Island visitors may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the history of the islands and future conservation plans. North Seymour Island is an hour away by boat and has a wide array of animals with no people living on the island. Tortuga Bay is a short walk from center of Puerto Ayora where you can view marine iguanas, birds, galapagos crabs and a natural mangrove where you can spot white tip reef sharks and the gigantic galápagos tortoise. Puerto Ayora has a protected location, along the shores of Academy Bay, where a refreshing breeze often provides pleasant weather. Temperatures vary between 18 and 29 °C (64 and 82 °F). The hot season usually runs from December to May.The Itabaca Channel is located between two islands in the Galápagos, Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour Island and Santa Cruz Island. The Itabaca Channel is used by water taxis who take people from Baltra to Santa Cruz. Academy Bay is a busy harbor, normally full of boats cruising the islands, passing private yachts and local fishing boats. This bay is a good location to spot brown pelicans, golden rays, marine iguanas, herons, lava gulls, frigate birds, Galápagos sea lions, and large numbers of blue-footed boobies, which fish by spectacular plunge diving. Fresh water is at a premium on the island and in this town. Locals practice water conservation and typically collect rainwater during the rainy season. There is a desalination plant on the island. Many facilities have separate water systems with varying degrees of use/quality. For example, water used for cleaning/showering may not be potable.
Marine Iguanas
Spend 30 seconds with the Marine Iguana, found only in the Galapagos Islands. They are active during the day and spend the first few hours after sunrise basking in the sun in preparation for activity. Only the largest five percent of individuals dive into the water for food, mostly during the hot midday hours. Amblyrhynchus cristatus feed exclusively on marine algae, a unique trait among lizards and can reach 26 pounds in weight. The marine iguana removes excess salt from its body through glands in the nose, which it excretes by squirting it several feet out of its nostrils.
Bus to Puerto Ayora - Galapagos Islands
After seeing giant tortoises, a bus took us back to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. On the way, we picked up a mountain biker with a broken bike.
The first animals we encountered on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Tortuga Bay and Puerto Ayora
I MADE THIS video of the first animals we saw at Puerto Ayora within being on the island for less than an hour. Also some Marine Iguanas we encountered walking the beach of Tortuga Bay. Hope you enjoy these short clips.
Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador - Iguanas
A travel update