Marine iguanas, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Mar 13, 2025

Marine iguanas, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Marine iguanas, seen in today"s image, are fascinating creatures found exclusively on the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. They weigh around 1.5 kilograms and can grow up to 1.5 metres in length. These reptiles are the only lizards in the world that forage in the sea, diving to graze on algae growing on submerged rocks. Researchers believe that both Galápagos land iguanas and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor that likely rafted from Central or South America. They"ve adapted in remarkable ways, from flattened tails for swimming to salt glands that allow them to expel seawater by sneezing.

© helovi/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nap your worries away
Mar 13, 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya
Mar 13, 2026Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-dOlonne, France

More Desktop Wallpapers:

The ‘Old Bridge,’ reborn
Sep 26, 2024Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
The lord of all beginnings
Jul 4, 2025Orosei, Sardinia, Italy
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Nov 14, 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Celebrating our looming lunar neighbour
A natural spotlight
The gateway to jungle
Sep 8, 2025International Literacy Day
Holiday hues
Dec 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
A time-worn medieval marvel
Jan 14, 2025Makar Sankranti
Switzerland of India
Jun 19, 2025Masai giraffe mother grooming her calf in the Serengeti, Tanzania
Feb 19, 2025European river otter
Nov 7, 2024Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
9,000-year-old handprints
Jun 7, 2024World Oceans Day
The ancient home of the Minoans
Nov 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Jan 4, 2025Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam
Sep 2, 2024Rhino mother and calf, Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Jul 8, 2024Blueberries growing in the wild
Jan 31, 2025Happy International Zebra Day!
Mar 21, 2026International Day of Forests
Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scotland
Sep 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Feb 13, 2026Third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand