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Quentin Martinez's Image
Conducting research for a scientific study, Quentin came across a green iguana asleep on a fence. As his colleague took pictures from the other side, Quentin noticed this striking silhouette, revealed by a headlamp. Its thorny profile is ‘like an ancient mountain range in fading light, weathered by the passing of time,’ says Quentin.
Growing up to 1.7 metres long, green iguanas have an impressive crest of comb-like spines, three centimetres high. These may help regulate temperature or act as camouflage, breaking up the iguana’s outline. Male iguanas are fiercely aggressive, fighting over potential mates – this one might have damaged a few spines in a battle.
Behind the lens
Quentin Martinez
France
Quentin Martinez is a PhD student working on rodents, shrews, moles and tenrecs. As a wildlife photographer he specialises in reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.
Image details
- Canon EOS 7D
- 100mm f2.8 lens
- 1/50 sec at f8 • ISO 800
- Macouria, French Guiana
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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