GALAPAGOS WILDLIFE

The Galapagos Islands have a wide array of endemic fauna including invertebrates, birds, reptiles and a few mammals. These endemic species have evolved from other species to become unique to the Galapagos Islands or in some cases unique to certain islands within the Galapagos Archipelago. The Galapagos Tortoise is the best known of all the endemic creatures. The iconic giant tortoise, all of which are considered to be endangered species consist of 11 subspecies each having adapted to the terrain of their island home. The mockingbird is another example of a species that evolved differently between islands - there are four distinct species of mockingbirds in the Galapagos including the Hood Mockingbird found only on Espanola, the Floreana Mockingbird found on the island of Floreana, the Chatham Mockingbird found on San Cristobal and the Galapagos Mockingbird found on several other islands.

In addition to the high number of endemic species, what truly makes the Galapagos Wildlife unique is their tame and inquisitive nature. The Galapagos were never attached to any continent and the island chain's remote location made it impossible for large land mammals that usually dominate the food chain to make the journey to the Galapagos Islands. The giant tortoise, an herbivore became the dominate animal on the land. With a lack of natural predators, the wildlife of the Galapagos thrived in an Eden like environment where they were able  to thrive into the friendly creatures you find there today.

Galapagos Animals

Reptiles are the dominant land animals in the Galapagos. Consisting of a number of species including the famous Galapagos Tortoise, iguanas, snakes, lava lizards and sea turtles. These creatures closely represent their relatives who originated on the South American continent. There are 27 species of reptiles found in the Galapagos of which 17 are endemic (species found only in the Galapagos). Iguanas are an excellent example of a species endemic to the Galapagos Islands. Here in the Galapagos you can encounter two distinct species of terrestrial iguanas (land iguanas), the only sea going iguana in the world (the Galapagos Marine Iguanas), on the island of South Plaza a unique hybrid iguana  as well as the recently discovered pink iguana.

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 turtle 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. These creatures consist of more than just the Galapagos sea lions, fur seals 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 starfish to sea cucumbers.

Galapagos Birds

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, Galapagos penguins, Darwin's 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. Darwins Finches include 13 species that have adapted to their island setting. Other endemics include the lava gull, Galapagos Penguin, dark-rumped petrel, Flightless Cormorant, lava heron, Galapagos Martin and Galapagos Dove.

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 world's blue footed booby population, the highest concentration of masked boobies (Nazca 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 mockingbird or finches, which have developed into several new subspecies depending based on their environment in the islands.