Short Wave The Iguanas That Rafted To Fiji
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Apr 1, 2025 
Jonathan Lambert, NPR reporter with a focus on evolutionary biology, dives into the astonishing story of how Fijian iguanas made their way nearly 5,000 miles across the ocean. The discussion reveals that these creatures might have traveled on floating tree clumps, a phenomenon observed after hurricanes in the Caribbean. Lambert shares insights from recent studies that counter conventional theories, highlighting the impact of rare events on evolutionary paths and the challenges scientists face in piecing together the iguanas' fascinating history.
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Iguanas' Journey
Fijian iguanas likely traveled 5,000 miles by floating on rafts of vegetation from the Americas. This represents the longest known trans-oceanic dispersal event of any land animal, except for humans.
Genomic Research Findings
The Fijian iguanas are most closely related to desert iguanas in the U.S., indicating a split over 30 million years ago. This timeline counters the theory that they arrived via land bridges.
Hurricane Observations
Researchers tracked a group of iguanas that floated over 180 miles from Guadeloupe to Anguilla after hurricanes in 1995. This real-life event supports the theory of iguanas rafting to distant islands.