Land Iguanas Galapagos Land Iguana Facts

Typically yellowish-orange with patches of brown, land iguanas can grow up to 3–5 feet (1–1.5 meters) in length and weigh as much as 25 pounds (11 kilograms). Their striking coloration not only helps them regulate heat in the harsh volcanic environment but also makes them one of the most recognizable animals in the Galapagos.
Beyond their looks, land iguanas play a vital role in the Galapagos ecosystem. They feed primarily on prickly pear cacti, consuming both pads and fruit, which provides them with moisture and nutrition in the arid landscape. In turn, they help control vegetation and disperse seeds, supporting the balance of the islands’ fragile habitats.

Once widespread across several islands, populations of the Galapagos land iguana have declined due to habitat loss, invasive species such as feral dogs and cats, and past overhunting.
Thanks to the efforts of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park Service, conservation programs are working to restore their numbers and protect this remarkable species for future generations.

What is the Galapagos Land Iguana?

The Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) is a large, yellowish-orange reptile native to the islands and an important symbol of the archipelago’s unique wildlife. Unlike their close relatives, the marine iguanas, which are the world’s only sea-going lizards, land iguanas live strictly on land. While marine iguanas dive into the ocean to feed on algae, land iguanas thrive in the dry, arid environments of the islands, feeding primarily on plants. Their dragon-like appearance, complete with long tails, strong claws, and spiny crests, makes them one of the most fascinating species in the Galapagos.

Galapagos Land Iguana Habitat
Land iguanas in the Galapagos are typically found on islands such as South Plaza, Santa Cruz, North Seymour, and Fernandina. They prefer dry, rocky, and arid zones where vegetation is sparse. These areas provide both the warmth they need for thermoregulation and access to their main food sources. Their thick skin and ability to withstand extreme heat are key adaptations that allow them to survive in these harsh volcanic landscapes. By burrowing into the soil, they create cool retreats to escape the midday sun and conserve energy.

Galapagos Land Iguana Diet
The land iguana Galapagos diet revolves around the prickly pear cactus, which provides both food and hydration in an environment with limited freshwater sources. They eat the cactus pads, spines, and fruit, carefully avoiding injury with their tough mouths. This diet not only sustains them but also helps disperse cactus seeds across the islands, playing a critical ecological role. Land iguanas may also feed on flowers, leaves, and other vegetation when available, but their ability to derive water from cactus plants is what ensures their survival in the dry zones of the Galapagos Islands.

Behavior and Adaptations

TERRITORIALITY 
The males defend specific areas, which usually include more than one female. Male iguanas can be highly aggressive towards each other. Territorial displays involve rapid nodding of the head and, sometimes, biting and tail-thrashing battles. Land iguanas reach maturity between 8 and 15 years of age, depending on their size. They congregate and mate during specific periods, which vary from island to island. The females then migrate to suitable areas to nest. After digging a burrow about half a meter deep, the female lays 2 to 25 eggs in the nest. She then defends the burrow for some time to prevent other females from nesting in the same spot. The young iguanas hatch 3 to 4 months later and then take about a week to dig their way out of the nest. These tiny, speckled iguanas can easily fit in the palm of a hand. If they survive the difficult first years of life, when food is often scarce and native predators such as hawks and owls are a danger, land iguanas can live for more than 60 years. 

ADAPTABILITY 
Distantly related to the green iguana of the South American continent, Galapagos land iguanas can be over a meter long with males weighing up to 13 kilograms. Their rough, wrinkled skin is yellowish with scattered patches of black, brown and rust. Two species occur in Galapagos - Conolophus subcristatus is native to 6 islands, while Conolophus pallidus is native only to Santa Fe. Land iguanas live in the drier areas of the islands and in the morning are found sprawled beneath the hot equatorial sun. During the midday heat, however, they seek the protective shade of cactus, rocks, trees or other vegetation. To conserve their body heat at night, they sleep in burrows that they dig in the ground. Lang iguanas are very flexible in their diet but generally depend on low-growing plants and shrubs, as well as the fallen fruits and pads of cactus trees. Although they often scrape the spines off cactus pads with their claws, it is not uncommon for an iguana to bite into a cactus pad, spines and all! These succulent plants provide them with most of the moisture they need during long dry periods. 

Conservation Status of the Galapagos Land Iguana

When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835, he described the remarkable abundance of Galapagos land iguanas. At Santiago Island, he noted that “we could not for some time find a spot free from their burrows on which to pitch our single tent.” Sadly, this abundance did not last.
With the arrival of whalers and settlers in the early 1800s, humans introduced goats, pigs, dogs, cats, and other domestic animals that had devastating effects on the land iguana population. Cats prey on hatchlings and young iguanas, while dogs hunt adults. Goats compete for food, stripping the vegetation that iguanas depend on for survival. As a result, the once-thriving iguanas of Santiago are now extinct, and on several other islands their numbers have been drastically reduced.

Threats to Survival

• Introduced predators: cats and dogs hunt iguanas at all life stages.
• Habitat loss: invasive goats and other grazing animals destroy essential food sources.
• Human impact: settlement and land use reduce the fragile ecosystems where iguanas live.

Conservation and Recovery Efforts
Fortunately, strong conservation programs are helping to turn the tide. The Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station have led initiatives such as captive breeding, habitat restoration, and the eradication of invasive species. On Santiago Island, goats were successfully removed, paving the way for habitat recovery. Breeding and reintroduction programs have also been launched to restore populations of land iguanas in areas where they had disappeared.

Protected by Galapagos National Park
Today, the land iguana is recognized as a species of conservation concern. Thanks to the protections of Galapagos National Park and international support, their numbers are stabilizing on several islands. While threats remain, these programs demonstrate that with continued effort, the Galapagos land iguana can recover and once again thrive as an iconic species of the archipelago.

Rescue Operations for the Galapagos Land Iguana

In 1976, wild dogs wiped out a colony of almost 500 Galapagos land iguanas at Conway Bay on Santa Cruz. To prevent complete loss, the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Service launched an emergency rescue operation for the roughly 60 survivors. Soon after, another devastating attack occurred at Cartago Bay on Isabela Island, where 30 more land iguanas were saved.

These rescue missions marked the beginning of a successful captive breeding and rearing program for the land iguana Galapagos population at the Station and Park headquarters on Santa Cruz. There, scientists carefully incubate eggs collected from endangered populations. For those wondering where do land iguanas lay their eggs, females typically nest in sandy or volcanic soils, digging burrows with their hind legs to protect their clutches. Once collected, the eggs are incubated under controlled conditions until hatching.

The young iguanas are raised until they are large enough to be safely released back to their island habitats. In the 1980s, adult iguanas that had been relocated from Baltra to North Seymour in the 1930s were also added to the breeding stock. By 1991, captive-bred Galapagos land iguanas were reintroduced to Baltra Island, where the species had been extinct for over 50 years.

Since 1980, more than 700 young Galapagos land iguanas have been released into the wild. These efforts are supported by ongoing eradication and control of invasive species across the archipelago. Wild dogs have been eliminated from Cartago and Conway Bays, goats removed from several smaller islands, and pigs and cats are now managed on others.
The program has been such a success at Cartago Bay that all adult iguanas were repatriated by the early 1990s. However, conservationists stress that continued vigilance is vital to secure the future of the Galapagos land iguana.

Their Future Is in Your Hands

The Galapagos land iguana program is funded by the Ecuadorian Government, World Wide Fund for Nature, Friends of Galapagos, and other dedicated institutions and individuals. Although much has been accomplished, much remains to be done. The continuation of research and the rearing program are essential for the survival of Galapagos land iguanas.
The control of introduced animals is vital to prevent further damage to land iguana Galapagos populations and their fragile habitat. For example, researchers carefully monitor nesting areas, since questions like where do land iguanas lay their eggs are crucial for conservation planning. Typically, females dig burrows in sandy or volcanic soils to deposit their eggs, which makes protecting these sites a priority.

The Galapagos land iguana is truly unique. Continued conservation efforts and support are essential if this remarkable, crested reptile is to be saved from extinction. There is only one Galapagos. Help protect it for the future.