Pink Iguana Discovered On Galapagos

A new species of iguana with unusual pink skin has been discovered by scientists on the island where Charles Darwin first developed his theory of evolution.

The large lizard, which is at risk of extinction, has rose-coloured scales and only lives on one volcano in the Galapagos Islands.

Darwin, whose 200th birthday will be celebrated on February 12, observed both marine and land iguanas when he visited the archipelago in 1835.

The way the creatures adapted themselves to their surroundings helped to develop his revolutionary ideas about natural selection.

But he never explored the Volcan Wolf volcano on the island of Isabela and therefore did not see the pink iguana.

The creature was first spotted in 1986 by park rangers but was dismissed as a curiosity and soon forgotten.