Discover the Marine iguana

Question 1 · multiple choice

Which environment provides the right combination of shelter and feeding space for a Marine iguana?

humid tropical forest canopy cliffs, coasts, open country, and tall city buildings sandy and rocky coastal seabeds, seagrass, and reefs rocky shores and coastal waters of the Galápagos Islands

Question 2 · multiple choice

Which menu would require the fewest changes from the normal diet of a wild Marine iguana?

marine algae scraped from rocks small to medium antelopes, hares, and ground birds selected eucalyptus leaves mainly fish captured cooperatively in shallow water

Question 3 · multiple choice

Which timing clue belongs in a field guide entry for a Marine iguana?

travels and feeds in cooler periods but tolerates daytime heat warms in sun before and after cold-water feeding dives mostly active at night feeds mainly in daylight by ambushing drifting prey

Question 4 · multiple choice

Choose the most accurate description of a Marine iguana in motion.

walks with a pacing gait on broad two-toed feet walks and probes soil with a long flexible bill swims by waving its flattened tail while legs trail backward swims upright with a rapidly fluttering dorsal fin

Question 5 · multiple choice

Which claim about a Marine iguana's adaptation is scientifically accurate?

powerful feet rake leaf litter while an elaborate tail supports courtship displays large shoulder glands release potent defensive toxins a soft twisted abdomen fits inside empty snail shells dark skin absorbs heat and salt glands sneeze excess salt from the nose

Question 6 · multiple choice

Which breeding-season clue correctly points to a Marine iguana?

females dig burrows in sand or ash for their eggs the female feeds unfertilised eggs to tadpoles placed in tiny pools lays a small number of large eggs that develop slowly females drop eggs to the ground and can reproduce without males

Question 7 · multiple choice

How does a Marine iguana usually balance solitary and group life?

family colonies maintain lodges, dams, and food stores basks in groups but males defend display areas during breeding colonies huddle and rotate positions during severe winter weather generally solitary outside breeding

Question 8 · multiple choice

Which statement best explains the place of a Marine iguana in a food web?

selects vulnerable prey and becomes food for scavengers when kills are stolen recycles nutrients from eucalyptus foliage and browses tree canopies grazes algae and moves marine nutrients onto land moves fish nutrients into nesting colonies

Question 9 · multiple choice

Which survival response is correctly matched to a Marine iguana?

freezes, blends with foliage, and uses claws if seized uses altitude, speed, talons, and alarm calls camouflages, flashes warning patterns, inks, and jets away dives, clings to rocks, and uses spines and teeth when cornered

Question 10 · true false

True or False: A marine iguana captive individuals often lose much of their toxicity when their natural diet changes.

True False