Answer to Question #301294 in Ecology for hehdb

Question

how can individual galapagos iguanas adapt to survive the el niño weather event

Answer 1

Like other reptiles in the islands, land iguanas may require shading from plants or artificial structures to provide thermal refuge. During past El Niño events, the marine iguana populations were reduced by as much as 70%, but the iguanas responded by laying eggs more frequently and reproducing at a younger age after El Niño events. To adapt in el Niño weather event, their claws are long and sharp for clinging to rocks on shore or underwater in heavy currents. They have dark grey colouring to better absorb sunlight after their forays into the frigid Galápagos waters.