Chuck Ripper: Marine Iguana

Artist: Chuck Ripper
1929 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1997
Image Size: 12.5 by 14.5 inches
Overall Size: 15 by 17.75 inches
Medium: Gouache on Cold Press Illustration Board

The marine iguana inhabits the region of the Galapagos Islands, located about 650 miles off the coast of Ecuador. The only living lizard that has an aquatic habitat, the marine iguana dives into the ocean or searches along the rocky shoreline for its food of seaweed and algae. Though its diet is high in salt, the excess is excreted by glands in the nasal cavities. This reptile displays a high dorsal crest and an oar-like tail conducive to swimming. During the mating season, males gather females around them as they hold court on a projecting block of stone. These males are tenacious defenders of their territories and compete in tests of strength by butting their heads together. Charles Darwin studied the marine iguana on his world voyage in 1835, writing, "When in the water this lizard swims with perfect ease and quickness, by a serpentine movement of its body and flattened tail." Large herds of marine iguanas once inhabited the islands of Albemarle and Narborough in the Galapagos Islands, but the population has been endangered due to the increase of human settlements. Ironically, throughout history, these reptiles have had little contact with humans since the regions they inhabit have been somewhat removed from developing civilizations. Because most lizards survive but do not breed in captivity, conservationists face the challenge of creating or preserving stabilized habitats that maintain natural cycles of predation and pockets of shelter.

This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover of the United Nations Endangered Species Series F.s. 0,80 Marine Iguana stamp issued March 13, 1997.

Artwork Copyright © 1997 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB15613

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