Santiago Lava Lizard
Microlophus jacobi
Natural History:
The Galapagos Lava Lizard and the Santiago Lava Lizard were once both considered to be Microlophus albermarlensis however recent studies on the lizard's DNA suggests that they are instead separate species. The Galapagos Lava Lizard inhabits Isla Isabela and Isla Fernandina While the Santiago Lava Lizard inhabits Isla Santiago along with its satellite islands such as Isla Rabida. Both species inhabit similar niches on their islands and have similar biology while only being genetically separate.
The Lava Lizards on the Galapagos are highly variable with each island having a unique form. They come in a whole series of different colours with females being brighter in colour then the male which is unusual among most reptiles which have the male brighter in colour as they have to compete with other brightly coloured males and attract a female.
In order to protect a territory or to attract a mate, the males will perform a sort of "push up" contest among each other where the speed of which they do it acts as a non verbal language only understood by individuals within the same species. Even females will protect their territory in this way from other females. Lava Lizards feed on insects and will often be seen around carrion not eating the meat but rather preying on the insects it attracts. Lava Lizards are some of the main predators of insects although when insect populations are down due to daily and yearly weather changes, the Lava Lizard will sometimes resort to eating plants such as fruit and cacti, they have also been known to be cannibalistic. Lava Lizards are also prey for most if not all Galapagos predators from Galapagos Hawks to Galapagos Snakes and even other Lava Lizards.
The Galapagos Lava Lizard and the Santiago Lava Lizard were once both considered to be Microlophus albermarlensis however recent studies on the lizard's DNA suggests that they are instead separate species. The Galapagos Lava Lizard inhabits Isla Isabela and Isla Fernandina While the Santiago Lava Lizard inhabits Isla Santiago along with its satellite islands such as Isla Rabida. Both species inhabit similar niches on their islands and have similar biology while only being genetically separate.
The Lava Lizards on the Galapagos are highly variable with each island having a unique form. They come in a whole series of different colours with females being brighter in colour then the male which is unusual among most reptiles which have the male brighter in colour as they have to compete with other brightly coloured males and attract a female.
In order to protect a territory or to attract a mate, the males will perform a sort of "push up" contest among each other where the speed of which they do it acts as a non verbal language only understood by individuals within the same species. Even females will protect their territory in this way from other females. Lava Lizards feed on insects and will often be seen around carrion not eating the meat but rather preying on the insects it attracts. Lava Lizards are some of the main predators of insects although when insect populations are down due to daily and yearly weather changes, the Lava Lizard will sometimes resort to eating plants such as fruit and cacti, they have also been known to be cannibalistic. Lava Lizards are also prey for most if not all Galapagos predators from Galapagos Hawks to Galapagos Snakes and even other Lava Lizards.