Reptiles
Galápagos land iguana
Conolophus subcristatusConservation statusVulnerable
DietMainly opuntia cactus and its fruit and flowers
Lifespan50-60 years
Size and weightUp to about 1.5 m and 13 kg
Yellow-orange, and much larger than the marine iguana.
Yellow head scales
What makes it specialWhen a Darwin's finch comes close, the iguana stands up tall as an invitation. Then the finch picks ticks off it.
Surprising factIt almost disappeared from several islands because of wild cats and dogs. Recovery projects have brought populations back.
Population8,600-17,900 adults. Endemic: it lives nowhere else in the world.
Urbina Bay on Isabela