Galapagos Animals

Animals in the Galapagos are unafraid of man and they are so different from any others found elsewhere.

This fact make visitors wonder about their very existence on our planet.

Galapagos wildlife is one of the major attractions these Islands have to offer to its thousands of visitors each year.

Galapagos Penguins:

The Humboldt Current is the one that brought them all the way up to these tropical latitudes. More about Galapagos Penguins here

Red-billed Tropic Bird:

Like the Waved Albatross, this is a pelagic feeder. Pelagic comes from the Greek word pelagos, meaning oceanic going.

Waved Albatross:

Such courtship is more than just a mere reproductive prelude.

It is, without a doubt, one of the most important attractions among Galapagos animals and it only occurs in the months of April, May and June of each year. More about Albatross Bird here

Blue Footed Boobies:

These Galapagos animals mate opportunistically and this means in not depending on a calendar basis, but more on the food availability found in the ocean. Here's more about Blue Footed Boobies

Galapagos Pelican:

Nazca boobies:

Lava Gull Bird:

Galapagos Hawk:

Galapagos Finches:

There are a total of 14 species of Darwin's Finches, and all belong to the Passerine group (finches, sparrows, etc).

The Galapagos Islands feel proud about renaming with a bird species "the Galapagos Finches" that will remain as living proof of evolutionary importance in modern thinking. More about Darwins Finches here

Most of the birds in Galapagos are endemic to these unique Islands of Galapagos.

Good and concise descriptions on each bird, from waved albatrosses to blue and red footed birds, from nazca boobies to flightless cormorants Can be read on this Galapagos Birds page

Galapagos Snake:

Galapagos Iguanas:

Galapagos Land Iguana:

Galapagos land iguanas are amazing reptiles that add a great amount of color, and importance to the arid zone of the Islands. More about Galapagos Land Iguana here

Galapagos Marine Iguana:

Endemic to the Islands, they are the only sea-going lizards in the world. In fact, there's nothing like them on the planet. Learn more about Galapagos Marine Iguana

Galapagos Giant Tortoises:

There are 15 sub-species of Galapagos tortoises. Some prefer the upland zones of the large islands because of humidity, grassy pastures and small ponds to drink and stagger about.

Others prefer Islands with low elevations, dry terrain, and with lots of prickly vegetation like cactus.

The largest populations of these Galapagos animals are found in Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, and in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.

Galapagos giant tortoises keep growing for 30 or 40 years to almost 5 feet (1.5 m.) and weigh about 500 pounds (230 kg.)

It is worth mentioning that no one knows exactly how long Galapagos giant tortoises live, but it seems they can easily reach 150 years! More about Galapagos Giant Tortoise here

Sea Lions and Fur Sea Lions:

While the two species inhabit the shores of these volcanic islands, both have striking differences.

These Galapagos animals are mostly behavioral and physical. The Galapagos Fur Sea Lion (incorrectly called fur seal, as there are no true seals in Galapagos) is an endemic species to the Islands, and prefers rocky coastlines.

Galapagos Sea Lions, on the other hand, live in both types of habitat. Fur sea lions carry a heavy coat; an outer layer of fur, and an under fur. See the differences between the Galapagos Sea Lions and Fur Sea Lions

Galapagos Shark:

Sharks are fish that also inhabit the waters of the Galapagos Islands.

It is really too bad that the sharks' reputation has given them the nickname man eaters, since out of the 350 species of sharks, few actually have attacked humans. More about the Galapagos Shark here

Hammerhead Sharks:

Out of the many marine wonders of these Islands, Galapagos fish, represent one of the most amazing features to those that enjoy Scuba Diving in Galapagos and Snorkeling or watch the marine realm in the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos fish fauna is unique since there is no other tropical place on Earth that delivers several marine provinces in the same geographical location. Here's more information about Galapagos Fish

Galapagos Dolphins:

There are 3 more species that visit these Islands frequently too. Here's a review about the Galapagos Dolphins

Galapagos Crabs:

Galapagos is a Marine Reserve and this is the only protected coastal marine area in the Southeast Pacific, and the second largest Marine Reserve in the world. More about the Galapagos Marine Reserve

Galapagos Recommended Reading:

Wildlife of the Galapagos (Traveler's Guide)
Wildlife of the Galapagos is the most superbly illustrated and comprehensive identification guide ever to the natural splendor of these incomparable Islands. It really reveals the Archipelago's striking beauty. (It is a well-written, informative text).



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