[last updated: March 16th,
2009]
 |
The Galapagos
Islands offers its visitors the unique opportunity to witness an
amazing number and variety of strange and unusual wildlife, many of
which are endemic (unique) to the Islands.
Due to the extensive
number and variety of
wildlife found in the Galapagos Islands, this section only covers a
basic, highlighted list of wildlife that the Islands have to offer.
|
 |
| WAVED ALBATROSS [diomedea
irrorata] |
Characteristics
There are 13 species of albatross in the world. The waved
albatross is one of the most magestic birds in the archipelago.
It is endemic not only to Galapagos but also to Española
Island.
Where they can be found
The population is estimated at about 15,000 pairs and can only be found
on Española Island between mid-April and mid-December
(the other months are spent in the open sea of the Pacific Ocean). |
|
 |
| BLUE-FOOTED BOOBIE [sula
nebouxii] |
Characteristics
This is the most common variety. The
Galapagos subspecies is endemic. It has a lifespan of about 15 to
20
years. Unlike its red-footed relative, the blue-footed boobie
fishes
inshore & nests on the coast.
The male is lighter than the female and plunge-dives more easily than
the female. It is recognized by the black pinpoint pupil of the
eye,
while the dark iris coloration of the female gives the impression that
her pupil is larger. The male whistles and the female honks.
Where they can be found
The population of the blue-footed boobies has been estimated at 10,000,
but it may be much more. Large colonies are found on Española
(Punta Suarez), Daphne, Isabela (Tagus Cove & Punta
Vicente Roca) & Fernandina (Cape Douglas). |
|
 |
| FLAMINGO [phoenicopterus
ruber] |
Characteristics
Rare in Galapagos but found in seven saltwater lagoons.
Where they can be found
The population is estimated at about 600, and found at Espumilla
Beach (Santiago), Villamil (Isabela), Punta Cormorant (Floreana)
and Rabida. |
|
 |
| GALAPAGOS
FUR SEA LION [arctocephalus
galapagoensis] |
Characteristics
The fur sea lion may be easily distinguished frfom the sea lion by its
smaller size, its pointed nose, and big round eyes.
Where they can be found
They
can be found
in Puerto Egas (Santiago), Fernandina, Darwin
& Wolf. |
|
 |
| GIANT TORTOISE [geochelone
elephantopus] |
Characteristics
Only two island groups in the world are inhabited by giant tortoises:
Aldabra Island (Seychelles) and the Galapagos Islands.
Where they can be found
There
are three
types: Saddleback (found on Española, Pinzon,
Pinta & Fernandina); Dome-shaped
(found on Santa
Cruz & Isabela); Intermediate (found on Santiago,
Española, Santa
Cruz). |
|
 |
| GALAPAGOS
HAWK [buteo
galapgoensis] |
Characteristics
This magnificent endemic predator has dark brown plumage, a tail
striped with white, and yellow legs. They build their nests in
trees and rocks.
Where they can be found
The
hawk is common
to Pinzon, Santiago and Isabela, but can
occaisionally be found on Floreana, San Cristobal and Santa
Cruz. |
|
 |
| LAND IGUANA [conolophus
subcristatus or pallidus] |
Characteristics
This endemic genus has two species. Yellow-orange to brown, the
land iguana differs from the green iguana by a lack of fear towards man.
Where they can be found
Widely found throughout the archipelago, but most noticeably on Isabela,
Fernandina, Santa Cruz, South
Plazas, Santa Fe. |
|
 |
| MARINE IGUANA [amblyrhynchus
cristatus] |
Characteristics
An endemic genus with one species and seven subspecies. They only
marine iguana in the world, the Galapagos species is found along
shoreline on lava rocks.
Where they can be found
The population is estimated at about 300,000, is found throughout the
archipelago, including Española, South Plazas, Genovesa,
Isabela. |
|
|
| MARINE TURTLE [chelonidae
agassizi] |
Characteristics
There are four species of marine turtle found in the Galapagos, those
being Leatherback, Olive ridley, Hawksbill & Green Turtle.
Where they can be found
Widely found throughout the open waters of the archipelago. |
|
 |
| NAZCA BOOBIE [sula
granti] |
Characteristics
Formerly known as the masked boobie but was discovered to be a new
species in 2001. The heaviest of the three boobies, males
weighing 1.6 kilos, while females are larger at 1.8 kilos.
Where they can be found
The population is estimated at about 25,000, with the largest colony
found at Punta Suarez (Española). They are also
found on Genovesa, Wolf & Darwin. |
|
 |
| GALAPAGOS PENGUIN [spheniscus
mendiculus] |
Characteristics
The
Galapagos penguin is endemic.
Where they can be found
The population of Galapagos penguins are generally limited to the
waters around Bartolome, Rabida, Sombrero Chino,
Floreana, the west coast of Isabela
(and the
BOlivar Channel), and Fernandina. |
|
 |
| RED-FOOTED BOOBIE [sula sula] |
Characteristics
This is the lightest boobie, weighing only about a kilogram. The
body is light brown and with a bluish beak. The red feet are
adapted to grip branches, thus it is the only boobie to nest in trees.
Where they can be found
The population is estimated at about 250,000, with the largest colony
found on Genovesa. |
|
 |
| SEA LION [zalophus
californianus] |
Characteristics
Abunndant in the archipelago, sea lions gather in colonies on sand or
on rocks. The adult male weighs up to 250 kilos.
Where they can be found
throughout
the archipelago. |
|
|
|
