The Journey of Iguanas to Fiji: A Creationist Perspective

Recent studies have suggested that Fijian iguanas traveled to Fiji via vegetation rafts and possibly island hopping, a scenario long proposed by creation researchers. This aligns with views on species dispersal post-flood, emphasizing their genetic adaptability. However, the timeline for this migration is contested, with creationists arguing it occurred around 4,350 years ago.

Iguanas are predominantly found in the Americas, with the notable exception of the four species residing in Fiji. The journey of these iguanas to the islands remains a subject of scientific inquiry until researchers proposed a plausible explanation: iguanas may have floated across the ocean on vegetation mats and possibly used island hopping to reach Fiji. This notion aligns with long-held views among creation researchers, despite initial skepticism from secular circles.

The migration of iguanas presents interesting questions regarding the dispersal of species post-flood, particularly after Noah’s Ark settled on Mount Ararat. Rafting could have been one viable method, with debris from the post-flood ocean providing platforms for various organisms to travel vast distances, utilizing ocean currents to reach new habitats before eventually sinking.

These iguanas exhibit remarkable adaptability due to the genetic diversity provided by their original kind. Over time, as iguana populations settled in different environments, they adapted to thrive in respective locales, like marine iguanas in the Galápagos and green iguanas in the tropical forests of Central and South America, as well as in invasive regions such as Florida and Hawaii.

While the researchers conclude that the iguanas likely rafted to Fiji, differences emerge concerning the timeline of this migration. From the creationist perspective, this event would not have occurred millions of years ago but rather shortly after the global flood, approximately 4,350 years ago. This topic was discussed recently on Answers News, a program featuring discussions led by cohosts Dr. Tim Chaffey, Patricia Engler, and Avery Foley.

In summary, the mystery of how iguanas reached Fiji has seen new insights suggesting a journey via vegetation rafts and island hopping. This aligns with creationist theories regarding animal dispersal post-flood, highlighting the genetic adaptability of iguanas in various environments. However, the proposed timeline diverges from evolutionary theories, placing the migration after the biblical flood rather than millions of years ago, as posited by some researchers.

Original Source: answersingenesis.org