The Galapagos Lava LizardThe lava lizard is the most abundant reptile on the Galapagos Islands, though their small size often causes them to be overlooked. There are seven species. They are part of a larger group (genus) of lizards called Tropidurus.
The Galapagos lizards are thought to have floated out to the islands on vegetation, like the ancestor of the iguana types.These lizards are quite small, with an adult size of between six and twelve inches. They are usually brownish in color and spotted. The females have a patch of red skin on the underside of their necks. Sometimes the red coloring will extend onto the head and shoulders. Species DistributionThe locations of the species are shown to the below. Each is shown with a different color. This is appropriate, as the difference between the populations on the various islands is mostly in their color and patterning. They also vary somewhat in size.
Each island has just one species of lizard in residence. It is interesting to note though that even on an individual island there is variation in the color of individuals. Those living on the more vegetated or sandy areas are lighter in color while those in more volcanic surroundings tend to be darker, similar in color to the marine iguana. For more excellent pictures of lava lizards, follow this link. Life CycleThey do not lay a whole clutch of eggs as iguanas and turtles do, but lay three to six pea-sized eggs at a time and continue this as often as each month throughout the year with a peak in the warm season. The eggs can take up to twelve months to hatch. Baby lizards are very small and therefore very vulnerable. They are eaten by just about anything including adult lava lizards and even giant centipedes. Lizards that survive to adulthood can live for up to ten years. The adults also have a number of predators such as the Galapagos Hawk, snakes, herons and mockingbirds. Unfortunately introduced animals such as cats, rats and dogs also prey on the adults and hatchlings. The lizards themselves feed mostly on insects and some plants. Communication Between LizardsMales keep an eye on their territories by standing on prominent rocks. They communicate with each other by head bobbing. However, they do not move their head to do this but rather do a little push up. This gives rise to the curious scene of a lava lizard scurrying here and there, occasionally stopping to do a push up or two. Have a look at this video by Richard Dawkins. It's not entirely on-topic, but it's certainly interesting and shows the push-up behaviors clearly. Return from Lava Lizard to the Galapagos Islands or return to the Reptiles Home Page. |
