Iguanas traveled 5,000 miles from North America to Fiji At some point after approximately 34 million years ago, the ancestors of the Fiji iguanas arrived on the South Pacific islands.

"The Fiji iguanas stand apart, marooned in the Pacific. Four species live on Fiji and Tonga, all listed as endangered because of habitat destruction, invasive rats, and illegal exploitation for the pet trade."
🏝️🦎🌏 #FijiIguanas #Evolution #Travel #Biology #Wildlife #Nature #AmazingCritters

How’d they survive that odyssey?
We’re not spilling the secrets just yet… you’ll have to join us Oct 23 to hear how they pulled off the longest ocean crossing ever for a land-dwelling lizard. Here’s a hint: the Pacific isn’t as empty as it looks. 🌊🦎
#OceanHoptimism #FijiIguanas #DontMissThis

For decades, the few brilliantly banded iguanas of Fiji baffled scientists. 🌈🦎
No close cousins in the Pacific. Two theories, land-bridge or ocean rafting, both seemed impossible… until genetics cracked the case. 🧬🔍
#ScienceDetective #FijiIguanas #OceanHoptimism

Fiji Iguanas Crossed the Ocean from the Americas Millions of Years Ago A genetic analysis reveals that Fiji’s iguanas are most closely related to lizards living in North America’s deserts. How is this possible?

Fiji Iguanas Crossed the Ocean from the Americas Millions of Years Ago #Science #Biology #EvolutionaryBiology #FijiIguanas #Evolution #Paleontology

Iguanas From Fiji Came From North America 34 Million Years Ago, Study Says - Reptiles Magazine Research suggests the arrival of the ancestors of these lizards took place at the same time as the formation of the volcanic islands.

Would you believe that the iguanas of the Fiji islands float across the Pacific from North America 34 million years ago? #Fiji #fijiiguanas #iguana #desertiguana #NationalScienceFoundation #SaveScience reptilesmagazine.com/iguanas-from...