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Living where they do on dark
volcanic rocks, these lizards give the impression sometimes that
they are part of the rock if not made from it. Their colouration
and angular scaliness could almost have been erupted from the same
volcanic activity that made the rocks.
As the lizards feed at sea and are
cold blooded like all reptiles, they must spend a considerable time
basking on the dark larva rocks, particularly as the seas around the
Galapagos can be quite cold, this limits the time that they can
spend in the water.
They live mainly on land but feed in
the inter-tidal zone at depths of up 10m but not often venturing
more than 50m offshore, they can remain submerged for upwards of 10
minutes. They feed on algae which gives them a large intake of salt,
excess of which is spat out through their nostrils. along with a
snorting noise - the only sound they make. Picture courtesy
Expedition Trips |
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