Isabela Lava Lizard
Microlophus albemarlensis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyTropiduridae (Neotropical Ground Lizards)
- GenusMicrolophus (Pacific Iguanas)
- SpeciesMicrolophus albemarlensis (Isabela Lava Lizard)
Microlophus albemarlensis, the Galápagos lava lizard, also known as the Albemarle lava lizard or Isabela lava lizard, is a species of lava lizard. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands. The species was described as occurring on several islands in the western archipelago: the large islands Isabela, Santa Cruz, Fernandina, Santiago and Santa Fe, as well as several smaller islands: Seymour, Baltra, Plaza Sur, Daphne Major and Rábida. If true, this makes it the most widespread of the Galápagos species of Microlophus, the others only occurring on single islands. Some authors however, consider populations on Santiago, Santa Cruz, and Santa Fe (and associated small islands) to be distinct species (M. jacobii, M. indefatigabilis and M. barringtonensis, respectively). Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Isabela Lava Lizard sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 531 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Galápagos Islands
Santa Cruz Lava Lizard
Microlophus indefatigabilis
San Cristobal Lava Lizard
Microlophus bivittatus
Hood Lava Lizard
Microlophus delanonis
Santiago Lava Lizard
Microlophus jacobii
Floreana Lava Lizard
Microlophus grayii
Santa Fe Lava Lizard
Microlophus barringtonensis
Pinzón Lava Lizard
Microlophus duncanensis
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Isabela Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands?
About 37% of wildlife watchers report a Isabela Lava Lizard sighting in Galápagos Islands, based on 531 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Isabela Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands?
September has the highest sighting rate for Isabela Lava Lizard in Galápagos Islands in our monthly data.