Wild Animals of the Galapagos

Probably all of the people who visit the Galapagos come to see the animals. There are some endemic and some other habitants. There are wild animals and some tame. What you can expect and where to find them, shows this list.

Birds

Darwin’s finches

This is a subfamily of thraupidae that are endemic of the Galapagos island (except one species is living on the coco island). They are well know for their diversity of beak forms. You can see them on all island. But the Interpretation Center of San Cristobal is the place to go to get more information about them.

Frigate birds

These birds are habitants of the Galapagos but not endemic. You can see them at shores or from the ship. They are big, black have long tails. Males have a red chest, which they inflate to attract the white chested females in the breeding season. To see this you have to be lucky or a female frigate bird. I saw most on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.

Blue footed booby

The blue footed booby is another habitant of the Galapagos islands. They have their nests on the rocky coasts therefore you need to take a tour for seeing them. On the tour to los tuneles we saw four of them relatively close. There are three other booby species on the Galapagos, the red footed booby, the masked booby and the nazca booby.

Flightless cormorant

The flightless cormorant is endemic to the Galapagos and a good example for the fauna. He lost his ability to fly, because it was not necessary. It can be seen on the island of Fernandina. It might be also possible to see on Isabela.

Galapagos penguin

This is the penguin that lives closest to the ecuator. This is possible due to the cold Humboldt current. It’s endemic. It can be seen on and around Isabela, Fernandina, Floreana and San Salvador.

Waved albatross

This species of albatross is native to the Galapagos. It’s the only of its family which lives in the tropics. As a seabird it can be seen on the see. Keep your eyes open on the boat.

American flamingo

The american flamingo that is found on the Galapagos is genetically different than those who live in the Caribbean. It is slightly smaller. You can find them on Isabela.

Reptiles

Giant tortoise

The giant tortoise is endemic to the Galapagos islands. Every island has another species. They can be visited in the Charles Darwin Foundation and the breeding center of Isabela. They can also be found wild on the farms of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. It’s definitely worth to see them in the centers and wild. There is a huge difference.

Green sea turtle

The green sea turtle is native to the Galapagos and the rest of the pacific. It can be seen when diving, snorkling or with luck walking along the coast.

Sea iguana

The marine iguana is endemic to the Galapagos islands. It is the only lizard that is able to forage in the sea. It can be found at the coast of all islands. But most are seen on Isabela.

Galapagos land iguanas

The Galapagos land iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos. This Genus has three species, the Santa Fe land iguana, the Galapagos land iguana and the Galapagos pink iguana, which is endangered. Whereas the Santa Fe land iguana is endemic to Santa Fe and the Galapagos pink iguana is endemic to the Wolf Volcano on Isabela. The Galapagos land iguana is found on most of the Islands (Fernandina, Isabela, Baltra, Santa Cruz, North Seymor and South Plaza). To make sure to see them go to the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Lizards

There are six endemic lizard species on the Galapagos. Mostly know as Lava lizards. They belong to the genus Microluphos. You can find them, where lizards normally are found, in rocky landscapes.

Mammals

besides cats, dogs some small mammals like rats, which often are invasive, you will mainly see humans, Galapagos sea lions and Galapagos fur seals.

Sea lions can be mostly seen on San Cristobal (biggest amount). They are endemic to the Galapagos islands.

Fur seals are not that often or as a layman it is difficult to differ. I saw one on the tuneles tour.

Fishes

Hammerhead shark

Of the hammerhead sharks the smooth hammerhead is native to the Galapagos. It’s the second largest hammerhead, which can get up to 5m. It can be seen diving or with a bit luck only snorkeling around the Kicker Rock.

Silvertip shark

This shark is also native around the Galapagos and reaches up to 3m. It can be seen on the 360-tour as well as on the tuneles tour.

Blacktip shark

This smaller shark is also native to the Galapagos and can be seen at the tuneles tour. It reaches up to 1.5m.

Round ribbontail ray

This ray native to the Galapagos can be seen in lagoons, reefs and estuaries. It reaches a length of 1.8m and is characterized by it’s round thick pectoral fin disc covered with dark dots. It’s also known as marbled ray.

Diamond stingray

This native ray is characterized by it’s diamond shape and long tail. It reaches up to 1m and is found in sandy or muddy flats near rocky reefs and kelp forests.

Golden cownose ray

It’s native to the Galapagos and can be found in salty lagoons, open seas, shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, estuarine waters and intertidal marshes. It’s possible to see them on the tuneles tour or at Black turtle cove in Santa Cruz.

Spotted eagle ray

This native species of eagle rays is recognized by it bright spots on the back. They’re rather swimming alone than in groups. They can sometimes be seen at the port of Puerto Ayora. Otherwise at Black turtle cove, turtle island or Floreana.

Manta ray

These are the biggest rays seen at the Galapagos. They reach 5-7 meters in width. They have a different mouth shape than other rays and feed through filtering water. Digestion can last up to one year. Like whales they breach for unknown reasons. They can be seen at South Plaza Island, Rabida Island or Isabela.

Arthropoda

red rock crab

This native crab is seen where ever the land meats the sea. I saw a lot at the 360-tour on San Cristobal, at the playa de amor on Isabela and there are also some at the port of the islands.

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