North American marine iguana (SciiFii)

The North American marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus sina), also known as the common marine iguana and the American marine iguana, is a species of iguana, closely related to the Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the coastal islands and shorelines across both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America to help boost biodiversity. Unique among modern-styled lizards, it is a marine reptile that has the ability to forage in the sea for algae, which makes up almost all of its diet. Large males are able to dive to find this food source, while females and smaller males feed during low tides. They mainly live in colonies on rocky shores where they bask after visiting the relatively cold water or intertidal zone, but can also be seen in marshes, mangrove and beaches. Large males defend territories for a short period, but smaller males have other breeding strategies. After mating, the female digs a nest hole in the soil where she lays her eggs, leaving them to hatch on their own a few months later. North American marine iguanas vary in appearance between the different islands as well as the mainland's shorelines and several subspecies are recognized. The conservation status of the North American marine iguana is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American marine iguana's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii