Iguana GuideA coastal specialist
Marine iguanas spend much of their time on land but forage on algae in the marine environment. Their dark coloration and basking behavior are closely connected to the thermal challenge of returning from cold water.
Swimming and feeding
They use powerful tails for propulsion and can forage in intertidal and underwater zones. Their flattened snout and strong claws help them feed and hold position around rocky shorelines.
Salt management
Marine feeding brings a large salt load. Specialized nasal salt glands allow excess salt to be expelled, producing the characteristic salt-sneezing behavior associated with the species.
Why they matter
Marine iguanas show how dramatically an iguana lineage can adapt to a particular ecological opportunity. They are a useful contrast with arboreal green iguanas.
Keep exploring
Iguana facts become more useful when anatomy, behavior, species and habitat are connected instead of treated as isolated trivia.
Sources & further reading
Core factual claims on this page were checked against these references.