Galapagos Islands

Galapagos wildlife

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the world. But the wildlife that inspired naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution are under threat. The 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.

The cool waters of the Humboldt Current, originating in the Antarctic and flowing northward along South America, veers away from the coast just south of the equator and sweeps directly into the Galapagos. Especially during the garua season from June to December, the Humboldt brings rich food source for sea-going mammals such as sea lions and whales. The southerly origins of the Humboldt also explains the presence of the archetypal Antarctic genus, penguins, in the equatorial Galapagos.

Reptiles

• Giant Tortoise There are 14 described subspecies of the Galapagos tortoise of which 11 still exist, some with only small populations. Where ground vegetation is the main source of food.
• Marine IguanaAre found all through the Galapagos Islands, although on each island look a little different, they are all the same kind of iguana. The iguanas develop their colours as they get older an red or grey.
• Land IguanaThere are two species of land iguana found in the Galapagos Islands Conolophus subcristatus is native to six islands, and Conolophus pallidus is found only on the island of Santa Fe.
• Lava LizardsThere are seven endemic species of lava lizards on the islands, with colors that range from grey, black, red and orange. The females are usually brown with a brilliant slash of scarlet on the face and throat.

Mammals

• Sea Lion It is one of the most conspicuous and numerous marine mammals in the Galapagos Archipelago. The Galapagos sea lion is one of three subspecies of the Californian sea lion species.
• Fur SealIt is the smallest of the Southern Fur Seal reaching a length of up to 5 feet at maturity. These animals have survived from the brink of extinction, are the shiest creatures in the archipelago.
• DolphinsThere are three species of dolphins that live around the islands, the most commonly seen species is bottlenose dolphin and common dolphin, which are often spotted in front of or around boats.
• WhalesThe sperm whales around the Galapagos were almost hunted to extinction by whalers in the 18th century. Some whales are occasionally are sometimes spotted in the narrow channel between Fernandina and Isabela.

Birds

• Blue-Footed Booby It is a tropical seabird that lives in the Galapagos Islands, has beautiful blue webbed feet and is about the size of a goose. They weigh between 3 and 4 pounds, with the female being larger than the male.
• Red-Footed BoobyThe smallest booby grows to be 28 in long with a wingspan of 4-½ ft. Most of the Red-Foots are all brown with the exception of red legs and feet and a light blue bill with a red base.
• Masked boobyThese are the only boobies in the Galapagos to have an annual breeding cycle, though the cycle varies between islands. On Genovesa Island most of the eggs are laid between August and November while on Española Island from November to February.
  
• Flightless CormorantThe Galapagos flightless cormorant evolved in an isolated island environment that was free of predators. The birds had no need to fly and consequently this is now one of the world’s rarest birds.
• Frigate BirdIt is a highly specialized pelican species with exceptionally long wings and a long forked tail to ensure plenty of control while in flight. At more than three feet in length, the frigate has relatively small legs and feet.
• Brown PelicanIt is found throughout the islands, skimming over the water, plunge-diving, and resting in mangrove trees. The Galapagos population of brown pelican is considered to be an endemic subspecies.
• Galapagos PenguinIt is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands. It is the only penguin to live on the equator. Its nearest relatives are the African Penguin, the Magellanic Penguin and the Humboldt Penguin.
• Waved Albatross The Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata, is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. It breeds exclusively on Española Island in Galápagos. The nests are built on areas of lava with boulders and sparse vegetation.
  
• FlamingoOne of the world's most beautiful, a resident species of the Galápagos, primarily seen on Floreana and other southern islands. In flight or on the ground, these stately, birds are impressive indeed.
• Lava GullIt is a large gull, probably related to the Laughing Gull. One of the rarest gulls in the world, the entire population lives on the Galapagos Islands and is estimated at 400 pairs.
• Galapagos HawkThe Galapagos hawk belongs to the same genus as many of the hawks found in the Americas, Europe and Asia, but because it evolved in Galapagos, it is far tamer than its relatives.
• Darwin's FinchesDarwin's finches are an excellent example of the way in which species' gene pools have adapted in order for long term survival via their offspring. Their beaks have evolved over time to be best suited to their function.