Wildlife Conservation

Wild Marine Iguana Cold Ocean Foraging

Marine iguanas of the Galapagos Islands are uniquely adapted to cold water foraging, but El Nino events cause mass starvation when algae disappears.

Key Facts

Marine iguanas are the only seagoing lizard species
They can shrink their body size during food shortage and regrow it during abundance
El Nino events eliminate their algae food source causing mass mortality
Warming oceans may increase El Nino frequency and severity

Welfare Considerations

Marine iguanas during El Nino events experience progressive starvation as their algae food sources disappear. The ability to shrink body size is a remarkable adaptation but has limits - individuals that cannot shrink sufficiently die from energy depletion. Climate change projections suggest more frequent and intense El Nino events will cause more frequent mass mortality events in this unique species.

What You Can Do

Support Galapagos conservation programs that protect marine iguana habitat
Donate to climate research and ocean monitoring programs
Advocate for climate action to reduce El Nino intensification
Support sustainable tourism guidelines in the Galapagos that minimize disturbance