#galapagos lava lizard

[jadewolf-photography]

Lava Lizard

Microlophus albemarlensis Punta Pitt, Isla San Cristóbal Galápagos, Ecuador

[jeffreyjangphotography]

Galápagos Lava Lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis), Galápagos National Park.

Shot on a Nikon D500, with a VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G lens.

[animalids]

Galápagos lava lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis)

Photo by Jon Atkinson

[collectiveofanimals]

Galapagos Lava Lizard

Microlophus albemarlensis

Microlophus translates into small crest (or tuft), while albemarlensis means Albemarle, which was the original name of Isabela Island (named after Duke Albearle).

Family: Tropiduridae (Neotropical Ground Lizards)

Fun Fact: "Microlophus albemarlensis lives in the lowland dry zones of the Galapagos Islands. Here the soil is loose and contains dry leaf litter so that the lizards are able to bury themselves in the soil at night. Rocks must also be abundant so that the lizards can hide underneath them or in crevices for protection from the sun." (ADW)

Habitat: They are endemic to scrub forests on the central and western islands of the Galapagos.

Ecosystem Role: They help keep insect, spider, and centipede populations in check. When food is scarce they do eat plant materials like seeds, cactus flowers, and leaves. They provide food for hawks, snakes, and introduced animals like feral cats and rats.

[thingswithantlers]

Galapagos Snake and Lava Lizard by Dave 2x