Once witnessed, there are certain sights that remain indelible, no matter how hard you attempt to forget them. For many of us, that's the case with a recent video from the Galapagos Islands featuring a marine iguana. Posted on Saturday, June 8th, by Ocean Diversity on Instagram, the video captures the unsettling spectacle of a marine iguana swimming underwater.
The footage begins with a scuba diver encountering this highly unconventional ocean dweller up close. Its distinctive eyes, sharp teeth, and intimidating claws are prominently displayed. When I stumbled upon the video, it made me do a double take as I scrolled through my feed. The clip concludes as the lizard gracefully vanishes into the depths, a sight that brought a sense of relief.
Having had the privilege to scuba dive in numerous oceans and witness extraordinary sights, I can say with certainty that encountering a marine iguana like that would deter me from returning to the water. It's the sort of image that feels more suited to a nightmare, and I'm apprehensive about dreaming of it now. Referred to by Ocean Diversity as 'Mini Godzilla', the creature evoked comparisons to Godzilla in the comments, with some likening it to the Creature from the Black Lagoon due to its peculiar appearance.
Fascinating Information About Marine Iguanas
Professional scuba diver and Discovery Channel contributor Kenzo Kiren, as quoted by Ocean Diversity, remarked, "I’ve encountered some peculiar sights in my career, and this was certainly one of them. Marine iguanas are the world's only sea-going lizard species, exclusive to the Galápagos Islands. They can dive to depths of 30 meters (98 feet) and hold their breath for 30-40 minutes. It’s believed they evolved from a common ancestor millions of years ago, arriving on the islands through rafting."
My curiosity about these creatures led me to inquire about their size. When the one in the video swam away, it appeared enormous! According to Raising Lizards, females can reach nearly 2 feet in length, while males can grow up to 4.5 feet and weigh up to 24 pounds—too large for my comfort.
In response to a query from commenter @smudgenozzy about their danger to humans, American Oceans assured, "They pose no threat as they do not bite, carry venom, sting, or attack humans." In fact, humans pose a greater threat to them. "Marine iguanas are currently classified as 'vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to their restricted habitat and susceptibility to environmental changes, such as El Niño events that can lead to food shortages and impact their survival."
It’s safe to say that while the Galapagos Islands harbor incredible species, I have no intention of diving there anytime soon—or ever—now that I know what lies beneath the surface.
