BBC | 《南太平洋》- 漂流者 18

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Discovered only 30 years ago,

仅于30年前被发现的

Fiji's largest surviving reptile was marooned on a handful of its outer islands

斐济最大的幸存爬行动物被困在少数的外围岛屿上

Crested iguanas

斐济冠鬣蜥

They're one of the toughest and most saltwater-tolerant lizards around

它们是所有晰蜴中最坚韧并最耐盐水的

In the breeding season,

在繁殖季节中

males, nearly a metre long battle it out for a mate

身长近一米的雄性会为了配偶决一胜负

They begin with a gentle bout of competitive head-bobbing

它们以一阵温和的、竞争性的头部上下摇动作为开始

If no-one backs down, things become more animated

若没有一方打退堂鼓，角逐就会变得更加激烈

The loser scrambles for cover

失败者迅速爬到树上寻找掩护

So where did these large lizards come from?

这些大蜥蜴来自何方？

Some speculate Asia, 4,000 miles to the west,

有些人猜测它们来自四千英里以西的亚洲

others, the Americas, 5,000 miles to the east

有些人则认为它们来自五千英里以东的美洲大陆

But how did they end up here in Fiji?

但它们为何最终来到了斐济？

One answer is that the iguanas, the frogs and the millipedes were all carried here by powerful oceanic forces

一种答案认为鬣蜥、蛙和千足虫都是被强大的海洋力量带到这里的

Every day, large waves beat down on tiny islands across the Pacific

每天太平洋上都有巨大的海浪冲击

Imposing as they may be,

尽管十分壮观

these have little impact on island life

这些巨大的海浪对岛上生命却无甚影响

But every year, much larger waves rise out of the ocean

但每年还有更加巨大的海浪从海洋上卷起

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