Small Reptiles, Galapagos

Whether in the undergrowth, on the trees or sunbathing on the volcanic rocks, reptiles are common in the Galapagos.  Here are just a few examples of the variety of reptile life on the islands.

The lava lizard is probably the most commonly seen small reptile; its distinctive red throat and head quickly catch the eye as it dashes after prey or into a hiding spot.  This lizard can change colour, a power it uses to regulate its temperature, turning dark when it’s warm to absorb sunlight, and a lighter hue when it’s cold to reflect it.

 

The ground iguana, with it gorgeous spun-gold coloured hide, is a cousin of the marine iguana.  This good-natured, fruitarian lizard is found all over the islands, but especially in arid climes.  It’s good friends with many finch species, allowing the birds to pick fleas and ticks of the folds in its back.

 

One of the more common snakes here is the racer snake.  This agile, thin-as-a-whip animal is named for its tactic of using speed to catch its prey, especially young iguanas.

 

Galapagos leaf-toed geckos are shy, preferring to hide during the day and hunt insects at night, where they are often seen congregating around electric light sources, feeding off the insects that gather around them.  Like many geckos, the leaf-toed gecko possesses feet bristling with microscopic hairs that allow them to stick to smooth surfaces, just like Spiderman.