Marine lizard is shockingly graceful in the surf of the Galapagos

Marine iguanas are a wonder of evolution, having adapted to the harsh life on The Galapagos Islands. The islands were formed less than 4 million years ago when volcanoes erupted, spewing lava upwards from the ocean floor, creating the pillars of rock and islands that are now the Galapagos Islands as we know them. Described as a "land borne of fire", the islands are beautiful and extremely harsh at the same time. Fresh water is scarce and the animals that thrive here have changed over time to meet the demands of this unforgiving climate.

Marine iguanas are one of the best examples of this adaptability. During the six month droughts that exists on the islands, the lizards would have starved if they did not venture into the surf in search of food. Vegetation on the island becomes dormant and undigestible when water availability drops to nearly zero. The lizards enter the water to eat the algae that grows on the rocks under the waves.

The females and juveniles eat the vegetation that can be found in tide pools and shallows. The mature males have learned to hold their breath for up to 30 minutes at a time so that they can dive and forge on the moist plants. Because of the high salt content, the lizards have developed glands that allow them to concentrate and expel salt from their nostrils. The lizards have also developed the ability to swim in raging surf and strong currents, due to their powerful tails. Huge claws help the iguanas anchor themselves on the rocks while they eat.

This scuba diver had the good fortune to witness one of these incredible animals feeding and then going to the surface to breath so it can return to the algae bed. These iguanas are cold blooded and they will lose body heat rapidly in the cool water. They spend their afternoons and mornings basking on black lava to absorb heat before they plunge into the ocean each day at noon to feed. Surprisingly, this strange looking lizard is graceful and sleek as it swims, looking completely at home in the water.