Meet the Española Christmas Marine Iguana

Our team at Touring Galapagos would like to introduce one of the most unique endemic phenomena in the Galapagos, the Christmas Marine Iguana from Española Island. Did you know that marine iguanas come in a range of colors? This is the most colorful subspecies (primarily turquoise and red), nicknamed the Christmas Iguana, while those on Santiago are predominantly green.

The marine iguana, found exclusively in the Galapagos Archipelago, is a remarkable creature known for its unique ability to thrive in the marine environment. The archipelago is home to six distinct subspecies of marine iguanas, each native to a specific island. Among these, the specimens from Isabela and Fernandina stand out for their impressive size. Throughout most of the year, adult marine iguanas sport a striking black appearance. However, during the mating season, males undergo a fascinating transformation, with each subspecies displaying its own distinct coloration. Notably, the marine iguanas on Española Island dazzle with their vibrant hues of green and red, leading to the affectionate moniker "Christmas Iguana" for this particular subspecies.