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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Charlie Atkin

'Godzilla' iguana spotted swimming underwater in stunning footage

An enormous iguana has been nicknamed ‘Godzilla’ after stunning footage of it swimming and feeding underwater was shared online.

In the above video, an enormous marine iguana can be seen diving to and from the surface as it feeds off the algae that covers rocks on the sea bed.  

Steve Winkworth originally captured the footage last year at Cabo Marshall in the Pacific Ocean’s Galapagos Islands but a recent Reddit thread has given ‘tiny Godzilla’ much wider attention.

With little sense of perspective, it is unclear just how large the reptile is. 

Marine iguanas are only found on the Galapagos Islands and the only know lizard to forage in the sea. It is believed to be capable of diving over 30ft below the surface.

Although still quite an alarming encounter for any diver, the reptiles are vegetarian, feeding only on algae.

Their time in the water is always limited, having to frequently come up to the surface for air and basking in the sun to warm its body after any cold water foraging. 

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