Overview

The Santa Fe land iguana is paler in colour than the Galapagos land iguana, hence its scientific name of Conolophus pallidus. It also has a longer, more tapered snout and more pronounced dorsal spines. As with its cousins elsewhere in the Archipelago, the Santa Fe land iguana is primarily herbivorous, obtaining 80% of its diet from Opuntia cactus, though they have also been observed supplementing their diet with insects and carrion.

During the mating season, the male iguanas defend territories of up to 20m² by bobbing their heads and fighting with interlopers. A successful male may mate with up to seven females, and each female will lay up to 20 eggs, which take nearly four months to hatch.