Pink Land Iguana

These guys are not going to win a beauty pageant, but you have to admit how many pink with gray/black stripes reptiles do you see?  Where they live they are far from the only odd ball characters you will find!

Location: Galapagos
Status: Critically Endangered 
Population: 200

Pink Land Iguana
The Pink Land Iguana is only found atop the active Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island in the Galápagos archipelago, on just under a 10 square mile piece of land.  The Galápagos Islands (called an archipelago) are located off the western coast of South America in the Pacific Ocean. There, animal species were able to evolve isolated from other mainland creatures, leaving a legacy of oddball characters from giant tortoises to tropical penguins. These guys can reach over three feet in length, weigh about 25 pounds and live for approximately 60 years.  They are primarily herbivores and feed on prickly pear leaves and fruit.

Fun Facts
Believe it or not, Pink Land Iguanas have been living in the Galápagos for millions of years but they were only discovered in 1986 and in 2009 they were determined to be a seperate species than other land iguanas on the island. They were added to the critically endangered after an expedition estimated their population at only a bit over 200 individuals.

Now I'm sure you wondering why are they pink?  The pink colouration is due to the lack of pigment in their skin which allows you to see the blood underneath.  Pink Iguanas are cold blooded and must absorb heat daily by sunning themselves on volcanic rock.

​Click on the sources below to learn more about the Pink Land Iguana, what is being done to help their populations, and how you might get involved. (source: Galapagos Conservation Trust, Live Science, All Things Nature, Re:Wild and Aurifil)

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