Santa Cruz Lava Lizard
Microlophus indefatigabilis
Silhouette: Kurtis Wothe and Giovanna Sainz · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyTropiduridae (Neotropical Ground Lizards)
- GenusMicrolophus (Pacific Iguanas)
- SpeciesMicrolophus indefatigabilis (Santa Cruz Lava Lizard)
About the Santa Cruz Lava Lizard
The Santa Cruz lava lizard (Microlophus indefatigabilis) is a species of lava lizard endemic to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz. Endemic to Santa Cruz Island, it is found within volcanic rock areas, dry shrublands, dry grasslands, deciduous forests, and urban areas, and prefers shaded locations.
They are identifiable by a brown body with scattered black and white blotches with a distinctive red and black throat and a black chest. Females have a more uniform brown body, a bright orange face, and a black mark at shoulder level. The species is able to shed its tail without mortal injury.
Harems are kept, and are competed for by males using a pushup ritual to avoid physical injury. Males have a higher stamina and greater body size compared to the female. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Santa Cruz Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Galápagos Islands
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Santa Cruz Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Santa Cruz Lava Lizard sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 1,920 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Santa Cruz Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands?
May has the highest sighting rate for Santa Cruz Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands in our monthly data.