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The wonders of the iguana, the Galapagos Islands.

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The Galapagos Islands were formed by magma which erupted from the seabed.

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The islands are in the Pacific Ocean, completely isolated from the South American continent.

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Covered with lava rock, the ecosystem here is unique.

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There are animal species that are only found in the Galapagos.

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There is little vegetation, it's mainly cactus.

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The Galapagos are home for the land iguana.

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They live mainly on cactus leaves and flowers.

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Unable to climb trees, securing food is a struggle.

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But the absence of any natural enemy has allowed the creatures to survive.

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Poor pickings on land eventually made the land iguanas seek food in the ocean.

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Land iguana evolved into marine iguana, adept at swimming in the sea.

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Their round tails became flat so they could swim.

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The warm waters around the Galapagos provide a good breeding environment for algae, good

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food for the marine iguana.

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Claws developed, enabling them to grasp rocks in the strong current.

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Environmental changes such as El Nino provided more vegetation for land iguanas, but in the

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ocean, temperatures rose to nearly 30 degrees, resulting in a significant decrease in algae

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and plankton.

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That forced marine iguanas to explore on land in search of food.

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They began to eat grass, something they don't usually feed on.

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Black and white patterned iguanas never seen before appeared.

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They're a crossbreed of marine and land iguanas.

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The new iguana inherited the marine iguana's claws, which meant it could climb trees to

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find its favorite food, cactus.

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The iguanas have always been able to adapt to their harsh environment.

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The Galapagos Islands are a cradle of evolution.