Atacamen Pacific iguana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atacamen Pacific iguana |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Microlophus
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| Species: |
atacamensis
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| Synonyms | |
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The Atacamen Pacific iguana (scientific name: Microlophus atacamensis) is a special type of lava lizard. It lives only in Chile, which means it is endemic to that country.
How it Lives and Eats
Atacamen Pacific iguanas are very smart about how they survive. They use their behavior to control their body temperature and even to move around.
Staying Warm
These iguanas need to stay warm, especially in the sun. They don't just lie there! They can change their body shape. They also turn their bodies to face the sun in a certain way. This helps them get warmer faster. It shows they can adjust their actions to get the heat they need.
What They Eat
The Atacamen Pacific iguana is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. It can choose from many foods found in northern Chile.
What they eat can depend on where they live. If they are in the very northern part of Chile, they might eat more algae. If they live further south in northern Chile, they might eat more fruit flies. These iguanas live along a large part of the coast. This makes them easy to study.
See also
In Spanish: Lagarto corredor de Atacama para niños
