An Introduction to the Galapagos Islands Wildlife

On the Islands of the Galapagos archipelago, a multitude of animals, by most people only known from the Discovery Channel, are romping about: the main reason for tourists and nature lovers to pay the Galapagos Islands a visit.

One of the first to visit was no less a person than Charles Darwin, who was fascinated by the natural history of the archipelago. His five-week stay gave the impetus to the famous Theory of Evolution.

"The natural history of these islands is eminently curious and well deserves attention..."
Charles Darwin

The Galapagos Islands have a wide array of endemic fauna, invertebrates, birds, reptiles and a few mammals, which are native to the islands rather than introduced. The Galapagos Tortoise is the most well known of all the endemic creatures. These giant tortoises, all of which are endangered due to hunting and introduced species, include 11 subspecies adapted to the terrain of their island home.

Animals of the Galapagos Islands

With the lack of predatory mammals life on the islands is dominated by reptiles represented by the famous Galapagos Tortoise, land and marine iguanas, snakes, lava lizards and sea turtles. These creatures closely represent their relatives on the South American continent. There are 27 species of reptiles in the Galapagos of which 17 are endemic (species found only in the Galapagos). The colorful and plentiful iguanas are a common endemic. The Galapagos is home to Terrestrial Iguanas (Land Iguanas), Marine Iguanas and a Hybrid of the two.

Life in the ocean is as varied and unique as that above it. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is home to sharks, rays, Cetaceans. Green Turtles and Hawkbill Turtles can be seen in the waters. Almost 300 species of fish have been noted. The Sally-Lightfoot Crab bright red color can be seen along the shore.

This is the least studied portion of the Galapagos Wildlife. Over the past few years attention has begun being paid to the remarkable underwater world. This creatures consist of more than just the Fur Seals, Sea Lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs that are ever apparent. It also includes 16 species of whales and 7 types of dolphin, 18 species of morays, 5 species of rays, 12 species of sharks as well as various other underwater creatures including from star fish to sea cucumbers.

Birds of the Galapagos Islands

The majority of animals seen by visitors are birds. A haven for bird enthusiast the Galapagos is home to a variety of sea and land birds including three species of booby, penguins, finches, flightless cormorants and waved albatross to name a few. The shear number and the seemingly tame nature of these birds is sure to amaze all who visit.

Long known as a haven for birders, the Galapagos Island's native bird life includes 57 residents almost half of which are endemic, the rest are regular migrants. Darwin's Finches include 13 species that have adapted to their island setting. Other endemics include the Lava Gull, Galapagos Penguin, Dark-Rumped Petrel, Galapagos Flightless Cormorant, Lava Heron, Galapagos Martin and Galapagos Dove.

Galapagos Wildlife Travel

People travel from all over the world to see the Galapagos wildlife. Here on these Pacific islands the biologic make-up is significantly different than that on the South American mainland. One thing that often amazes visitors is that life under the sea is as rich and varied as that above.

The Galapagos Islands have a rich and diversified bird representation. Early in the development of the islands many migratory birds made their way across the seas from neighboring Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to the islands. Over the years additional birds began to arrive with the assistance of the trade winds. Today of the 19 species of birds residing in the Galapagos 50% are endemic and 25% are exclusive to the islands including the Galapagos Penguin, Flightless Cormorant, Waved Albatross, Lava Gull and the Swallow Tailed Gull.

More than 700,000 migratory sea birds can be seen in the islands. The Galapagos is home to almost 1/3 of the worlds Blue Footed Booby population, the highest concentration of Masked Boobies and the largest colony of Red Footed Boobies.

Few species of land birds inhabit the Galapagos since land birds are typically not the excellent flyers that sea birds are of the 29 species present 22 are endemic. While some birds have changed little over the years from their ancestors who first arrived in the islands others have altered slightly to create a new subspecies in the Galapagos like the Vermillion Flycatcher and the Short Eared Owl. While still others have developed into new species like the Galapagos Hawk and Galapagos Dove. The most dramatic evolutionary changes can be seen in birds like the Mockingbirds or Finches which have developed into several new subspecies depending based on their environment in the islands.

Learn More about Galapagos Wildlife

To learn more about the specific animal species found in the Galapagos Islands, we invite you to visit the page we have created for each and every species native to the Galapagos Islands.

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