{"id":7998,"date":"2022-11-09T00:58:29","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T05:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecuadorwonders.com\/staging\/?p=7998"},"modified":"2025-08-29T06:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T11:53:14","slug":"unique-animals-of-the-galapagos-islands-lava-lizards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecuadorwonders.com\/staging\/unique-animals-of-the-galapagos-islands-lava-lizards\/","title":{"rendered":"Unique animals of the Galapagos Islands: Lava lizards"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Unique animals of the Galapagos Islands: Lava lizards<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Lava lizards\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Microlophus_albemarlensis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

One of the most common animals found on the Galapagos are the islands\u2019 small lizards, often affectionately referred to as \u201clava lizards.\u201d There are at least seven recognized species, each with unique traits. Like with the Galapagos\u2019 finches, the variety of species of lava lizards represent a remarkable example of adaptive radiation.<\/p>

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You can spot them during your Galapagos cruise holidays. We\u2019ll be happy to organize your Galapagos adventure.<\/p>

Description<\/strong><\/p>

Adult Gal\u00e1pagos lava lizards range from around 50 to 100 mm long SVL (snout-to-vent length; excluding tail which can be equal or longer to SVL), with average and maximum sizes varying between islands. Males are on average larger than females, being twice to three times as heavy, with average body sizes of 77 to 91 mm SVL, compared to 63\u201371 mm of females. In addition to size, there are significant color and morphological differences between sexes, although color varies across islands. Males are blue gray to brownish, spotted black to ash gray, and tend to have dark crossbands on the neck and anterior portion of the back. The throat has a large black blotch, extending to the base of the forelimbs. Males have a crest of spined scales running down the length of the body, which are longer than those of females. Males also have proportionally longer hind legs.<\/p>

Reproduction<\/strong><\/p>

Prior to mating, males seize the skin of the necks or backs of females in their jaws, and sometimes carry them short distances before mating. Females lay clutches of 1 to 6 white, leathery, elliptical eggs, with larger clutches generally occurring in larger females. On Santa Cruz Island, 2 eggs is most common. Females have been observed digging short burrows to lay eggs in May and June.<\/p>

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Go on your Galapagos family cruise! We\u2019ll help you to choose one of the best Galapagos yacht.<\/p>

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