Even the resident sea lions have to pause and marvel at the Galápagos marine iguana. These scaly little sea-surfers are believed to have descended from early castaways that drifted over from the South American mainland. Confronted with the challenge of surviving in a strange new environment, they gradually adapted to life beneath the waves, feeding on the green algae that thrives offshore. It’s a familiar origin story across the archipelago. Many of the islands’ species are thought to have arrived by chance, then evolved in isolation, which is part of what makes the Galápagos a cradle of evolution and home to some of the world’s most unique animals. Video by paulnicklen #Galapagos #Reptile #MarineIguana #Explore