Knobbed Pacific Iguana
Microlophus occipitalis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyTropiduridae (Neotropical Ground Lizards)
- GenusMicrolophus (Pacific Iguanas)
- SpeciesMicrolophus occipitalis (Knobbed Pacific Iguana)
Microlophus occipitalis, colloquially known as the knobbed Pacific iguana, is a lizard included within the Tropiduridae family. It is a member of the Microlophus genus and thus also considered a lava lizard. The knobbed Pacific iguana is found primarily in Western Peru and Ecuador, lining the coasts. The habitats of the knobbed Pacific iguana can be considered to be both broad and diverse as they are typically found in many different places such as beaches, lomas, and all the way to desert regions. This diversity is furthered as these lizards can also be found in open areas, between rocks, or bushes. The knobbed Pacific iguana displays distinct sexual dimorphism as seen by the different sizes and appearances of the male and females. Wikipedia →
50–60% of wildlife watchers report a Knobbed Pacific Iguana sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 86 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Machalilla National Park
📅 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 | Machalilla National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Knobbed Pacific Iguana in Machalilla National Park?
About 59% of wildlife watchers report a Knobbed Pacific Iguana sighting in Machalilla National Park, based on 86 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Knobbed Pacific Iguana in Machalilla National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Knobbed Pacific Iguana in Machalilla National Park in our monthly data.