The pink iguana, first spotted by National Park rangers in 1986, wasn’t officially recognized as a distinct species until 2009. Initially considered an odd variation, it turned out to be a completely separate species from other land iguanas in the Galapagos. With only around 200 individuals left, these iguanas are found exclusively on the slopes of Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, making them extremely vulnerable, especially since the volcano remains active. What makes the pink iguana unique isn’t just its color—it’s one of the oldest species genetically in the Galapagos. Genetic studies suggest that this species diverged from other land iguanas around 5.7 million years ago, marking it as one of the oldest known divergence events in the archipelago. In appearance, pink iguanas share similarities with other Galapagos land iguanas, such as a short head, powerful hind legs, and sharp claws. Despite their formidable look, they are mainly herbivores, feeding on prickly pear cactus leaves and fruit. The most distinctive feature is their pink skin, which has dark vertical stripes. This pink hue is due to the absence of skin pigment, allowing the blood underneath to show through.