Recognized by their eerie appearance, marine iguanas are the lizard species found exclusively on the Galapagos Islands. Because of their adaptation to diving into the sea, marine iguanas are the lizard species that forage underwater. Hence, that’s why they are named marine iguanas. These marine-diving lizards are herbivores, foraging on a couple of different algae. To explore what they feed on specifically, we’ll look at their diet to answer “what do marine iguanas eat?”

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Insects, Animals, and Fish

Marine iguanas have adapted to feeding on marine food available in large amounts. Their tail aids them to move as deep as they can from low-tides to deep water. Besides, marine iguanas have sharp teeth as well as claws. However, marine iguanas don’t eat fish, meat, animals, or seabirds. On rare occasions, marine iguanas feed on crustaceans and insects as well. The young marine iguanas feed on the feces of other aquatic animals until they reach adulthood.

Fruit, Vegetables, and Plants

Marine iguanas forage on a bunch of algae found attached to rocks underwater. Hence, the diet of a marine iguana is algae. Marine iguanas consume as much variety of algae as they possibly can find diving into the ocean. Given their foraging habits, marine iguanas eat seaweed, red algae, green algae, brown algae.

How do marine iguanas eat underwater?

The feeding behavior of marine iguanas is a little different from those of other lizards. Marine iguanas dive deep into the sea, removing the algae attached to the rocks. Marine iguanas then eat the food underwater after adjusting their metabolism rate.

How do marine iguanas survive

Marine iguanas don’t have specialized gills like other aquatic creatures. Rather, marine iguanas survive using their ability to hold breath for a long time while diving deep.

What marine iguanas don’t eat?

Although they forage on plenty of algae, marine iguanas have exceptions to some food items. Marine iguanas don’t eat amphibians, frogs, or larvae of aquatic animals.

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