What Is A Material?

Spessartine from China

The marine Iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus (1825)

Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Suborder : Igunania Family : Iguanidae Genus : Amblyrhynchus Species : A. cristatus Subspecies : A.c. albemarlensis, A.c. cristatus, A.c. hassi, A.c. mertensis, A.c. nanus, A.c. sielmanni

Vulnerable

1,5 m long and 10 kg (size)

Galàpagos Islands (map)

Researchers theorize that land iguanas and marine iguanas evolved from a common ancestor since arriving on the islands from South America, presumably by rafting. It is thought that the ancestral species inhabited a part of the volcanic archipelago that is now submerged. The two species remain mutually fertile, and occasionally hybridize where their ranges overlap. The subspecies are identifiable by their distinct colorations, for example the Espanola race is more red while the Santiago iguanas are more so green.

As an ectothermic animal, the marine iguana can spend only a limited time in cold water diving for algae. Afterwards it basks in the sun to warm up. Until it can do so it is unable to move effectively, making it vulnerable to predation. Marine iguanas become highly defensive when in this state, biting at potential threats. During the breeding season males assemble large harems of females, which they guard aggressively against rivals. Fights sometime occur but are generally harmless; they will bob their heads as a threat and if the other suitor responds, both will thrust their heads together until one backs away…

Hello world! This is my first post on Tumblr. 

This is my first poster I ever made, which is incidentally for sale on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/listing/188065299/tomato-poster?

TSA Turtle Tuesday:  Barbour’s Map Turtle

The decorative Barbour’s map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) can be found only in the southeastern United States, namely Alabama, Florida and Georgia. This beautiful and sedentary turtle is not known for leaving its relatively small home range. They bask for long hours throughout the day, seeking out the most advantageous location for sun and not moving for extended periods of time. Females have large and powerful heads which are adapted for eating aquatic mollusks, while males have a more varied diet that includes insects and plants! T

(via: Turtle Survival Alliance)

Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons) - Bear Wallow Rd., Mt. Lemmon, Arizona, USA

Animal portraiture ; By Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915 Kuhnert, Wilhelm, 1865-1926 on Flickr.

Plate XL from An History of the Earth and Animated Nature Vol. III by Oliver Goldsmith, 1795.