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- Galapagos Land Iguana (Common Land Iguana)
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- Barbary Macaque, Barbary Ape
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Galapagos Land Iguana (Common Land Iguana)
Squamata Iguanidae
Conolophus subcristatus
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The Galapagos Land Iguana is a large species of iguana that lives only on the Galapagos Islands. They have declined in population due to attacks from, and competition for food with, animals introduced by humans.
Body length: 40 to 55 cm
(Source: Doubutsu Sekai-isan* Red Data Animals Kodansha) (*World Animal Heritage)
The Galapagos Land Iguana lives only on the Galapagos Islands located east of the South American continent.
They like to eat the fruit and flowers that grow on prickly pear cactus. They also eat other vegetation and insects.
The male Galapagos Land Iguanas fight over their territory by shaking or bumping their heads. It's a rather fierce bout that looks like a fight between two dinosaurs.
Find out more about the Galapagos Land Iguana!
Iguanas have followed a unique pattern of evolution
Many rare animals on the remote Galapagos Islands have evolved in various unique ways. The Galapagos Land Iguana lives only on the Galapagos Islands. This large iguana existed in large numbers until the 19th century. But as more people came to the islands, the closer they were brought to the brink of extinction. The biggest cause of their disappearance is the animals brought by people to the islands.
People brought the enemy?!
The iguana has been attacked by wild dogs and has had their eggs stolen by pigs, and their food, vegetation, eaten by goats. These animals are no match for the Galapagos Land Iguana which has evolved in an enemy-free environment. In order to protect the native animals and environment of the Galapagos Islands, non-native animals are now being exterminated. But for certain, the wild dogs and pigs do not deserve to be blamed. It is extremely hazardous for animals when humans alter their natural habitat.
