The Galápagos Islands are positioned within the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles (970 kilometers) west of mainland Ecuador.
As a result of their distant location, the Galapagos Islands are dwelling to a lot of endemic animals; animals which can be discovered nowhere else on Earth.
Throughout his go to to the Galápagos Islands in 1835, naturalist Charles Darwin studied the islands’ distinctive animals, which supplied inspiration for his groundbreaking concept of pure choice.
As we speak, the islands’ wildlife attracts a lot of guests. Earnings from ecotourism is a crucial a part of the native economic system.
On this web page, we discover a number of the Galápagos Islands’ most iconic species. The entire animals featured on this web page are endemic to the islands except specified.
Watch the video under to see a number of the wonderful endemic species of the Galápagos Islands:
Galápagos Islands Animals Checklist
Blue-Footed Booby
Scientific Title: Sula nebouxii
Household: Sulidae
Order: Suliformes
Class: Aves
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The blue-footed booby is a particular seabird discovered alongside the Pacific coasts, particularly within the Galápagos Islands, the place round half of the species’ breeding pairs nest. (The species shouldn’t be endemic to the Galapagos Islands.)
Identified for its vibrant blue toes, the booby makes use of this distinctive function throughout its elaborate mating ritual, the place the male performs a high-stepping dance to draw a mate.
The species’ streamlined physique and lengthy wings make it an distinctive diver, plunging into the ocean to catch fish reminiscent of sardines and anchovies. The booby nests on the bottom, typically in open areas close to cliffs or sandy shores. Its plumage is a mixture of white, brown, and black, with a barely hooked beak tailored for gripping prey. Regardless of being a powerful flier, the booby spends a lot of its time close to its nesting websites.
The Galápagos Islands are additionally dwelling to 2 different booby species: the Nazca booby (Sula granti) and the Crimson-footed Booby (Sula sula).
Darwin’s Finches / Galápagos Finches
- Scientific identify: Varied
- Household: Thraupidae (Tanagers)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Varies by species
Darwin’s finches are a gaggle of round 18 species of small songbirds within the tanager household. All however one species of Darwin finch (the Cocos finch) are endemic to the Galápagos Islands.
The plumage of Darwin’s finches is mostly uninteresting, with many species being brown or grey.
These in any other case unremarkable birds are well-known for his or her function in inspiring Charles Darwin’s concept of evolution by pure choice. The well-known naturalist seen that a number of the finches had robust, broad beaks for cracking seeds, whereas others had slender, pointed beaks for catching bugs or for feeding on nectar.
Darwin theorized that the totally different finch species had advanced from a single ancestral species, with every trendy species having advanced particular variations for a specific weight loss plan.
Flightless Cormorant
- Scientific identify: Nannopterum harrisi
- Household: Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants & Shags)
- Order: Suliformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Susceptible
The flightless cormorant is likely one of the world’s rarest seabirds, with a complete inhabitants of round 2,000 people, all of that are discovered on the Galápagos Islands.
The flightless cormorant has small, stubby wings and, not like different cormorants, is unable to fly. As a substitute, it depends on its wonderful swimming and diving talents. It has robust, webbed toes and a streamlined physique.
The flightless cormorant advanced in an atmosphere with no notable land predators, and, like a number of different Galápagos Island animals, has little or no concern of people.
The flightless cormorant feeds on fish, octopuses, eels, and different marine life. It lives alongside rocky shores, notably on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela. Right here, it builds cumbersome nests out of seaweed and particles.
Throughout the mating season, the male cormorant presents the feminine with presents of seaweed and different nesting objects.
Galápagos Dove
- Scientific identify: Zenaida galapagoensis
- Household: Columbidae
- Order: Columbiformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Close to Threatened
The Galápagos dove is a small member of the pigeon and dove household, Columbidae. Though able to flight, it spends a lot of its life on the bottom.
The dove is well recognizable by its reddish-brown plumage, noticed with white on the wings, purple legs, lengthy invoice, and distinctive blue eye rings. Its again is a darker brown, whereas its underside is paler.
This species is often discovered on arid components of the Galápagos Islands, the place it forages on the bottom for seeds, fruits, and infrequently small invertebrates. Its lengthy, curved invoice is an adaptation for foraging within the soil.
The Galápagos dove will feign harm to lure a predator away from its nest.
Galápagos Flycatcher / Massive-Billed Flycatcher
- Scientific identify: Myiarchus magnirostris
- Household: Tyrannidae
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos flycatcher, also referred to as the large-billed flycatcher, is a small, lively hen discovered all through the Galápagos Islands. Its giant, broad, barely hooked beak is an adaptation for capturing bugs. Its plumage is primarily brownish-gray on the again with a paler, yellowish underbelly. The tail is comparatively lengthy and barely rufous in colour.
An insectivore, the Galápagos flycatcher actively forages by darting from perches to catch flying bugs, which it skillfully snatches in midair or from vegetation. It’s recognized for its daring habits and curiosity, typically approaching people intently. The hen additionally feeds on small fruits, particularly through the dry season when bugs are much less considerable.
Galápagos Fur Seal
- Scientific identify: Arctocephalus galapagoensis
- Household: Otariidae (Eared Seals)
- Order: Carnivora
- Class: Mammalia
- Conservation Standing: Endangered
The Galápagos fur seal is the smallest member of the eared seal household, which incorporates fur seals and sea lions. Male Galápagos fur seals are sometimes round 5 toes (1.5 meters) in size and weigh round 130 kilos (60 kilograms), and may be twice the scale of females.
Like different fur seals, the Galapagos fur seal has a layer of thick fur. This supplies the mammal with insulation within the comparatively cool waters of the Galápagos Islands. The seal is especially nocturnal, its giant eyes serving to it to see whereas attempting to find prey reminiscent of fish and squid.
The Galápagos fur seal spends nearly a 3rd of its trip of the water – a bigger proportion than every other eared seal. It tends to keep away from people and is extra reclusive than its island cousin, the Galápagos sea lion, which we’ll meet additional down the web page.
Galápagos Hawk
- Scientific identify: Buteo galapagoensis
- Household: Accipitridae
- Order: Accipitriformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Susceptible
The Galápagos hawk is an apex predator within the Galápagos Islands. This massive hen of prey has a wingspan of round 120 cm and is supplied with robust talons and a hooked beak for catching prey.
A carnivore, the Galapagos hawk preys on all kinds of animals, together with bugs, reptiles, birds and small mammals. A number of of the opposite animals on this listing of Galápagos Islands animals function within the hawk’s weight loss plan, together with the big painted locust, Galápagos dove, Galápagos mockingbird, lava lizard, racer snake and swallow-tailed gull. It is going to additionally eat carrion.
Galapagos hawks are recognized for looking in cooperative teams, with a number of birds working collectively to find prey utilizing their wonderful eyesight.
Galápagos Land Iguana
- Scientific identify: Conolophus subcristatus
- Household: Iguanidae (Iguanas & Family)
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Susceptible
The Galápagos land iguana is likely one of the world’s largest lizards. It sometimes grows as much as 5 toes (1.5 meters) in size and weighs round 24 kilos (11 kilograms). It has tough, scaly pores and skin, which ranges from yellowish-orange to brownish-black. The iguana has a crest of spiny scales working alongside its again and neck, giving it a prehistoric look.
Regardless of its fearsome appears, the Galapagos land iguana is primarily herbivorous. Its favourite meals is prickly pear cactus, which additionally supplies the reptile with water.
The Galápagos land iguana lives in dry habitats, and this cold-blooded animal is usually seen basking within the solar to control its physique temperature. Throughout the hottest components of the day, it seeks shade beneath rocks or vegetation.
Galápagos Lava Lizard
- Scientific identify: Microlophus albemarlensis
- Household: Tropiduridae (Neotropical floor lizards)
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos lava lizard is certainly one of ten species of lava lizard endemic to the Galápagos Islands, and is discovered on a number of islands within the archipelago.
The Galápagos lava lizard is a small reptile, sometimes reaching lengths of 4 to 7 inches (10 to 18 centimeters), together with its lengthy, slender tail. It has a diverse coloration that enables it to mix with the volcanic rocks of the Galápagos Islands, starting from mottled brown to grey. Males typically have yellow-gold stripes, whereas females have a reddish-orange throat.
The species is primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, flies, and beetles. It additionally eats small quantities of vegetation and seeds.
The Galapagos lava lizard is thought for its distinctive territorial shows, during which males carry out “push-ups” to determine dominance and deter rivals.
The Galápagos lava lizard performs an necessary function within the Galápagos meals chain each as predator of bugs and as prey to animals reminiscent of snakes, scorpions and birds. It’s able to altering colour for camouflage, and also can detach its tail to evade predators.
Galápagos Mockingbird
- Scientific identify: Mimus parvulus
- Household: Mimidae (Mockingbirds, Thrashers & Associated)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos mockingbird is certainly one of 4 mockingbird species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, and probably the most widespread. It’s medium-small, long-legged hen, with grayish-brown plumage, an extended tail, and distinctive white streaks on its wings. Like many mockingbirds, the Galápagos mockingbird has a slender, downward-curved beak.
The mockingbird’s habits is very inquisitive and daring. It is going to typically strategy people intently, a trait that fascinated early naturalists like Charles Darwin.
The Galápagos mockingbird is a generalist omnivore, consuming bugs, fruits, seeds, and even carrion. It’s recognized for its opportunistic foraging habits, typically stealing eggs and even preying on small animals like child sea turtles.
The Galápagos mockingbird lives in household teams which can be strongly territorial.
Galápagos Penguin
- Scientific identify: Spheniscus mendiculus
- Household: Spheniscidae (Penguins)
- Order: Sphenisciformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Endangered
The Galápagos penguin is the one penguin discovered within the northern hemisphere. It’s primarily discovered round Fernandina Island and Isabela Island.
One of many smallest penguin species, the Galapagos penguin stands about 20 inches (49 centimeters) tall and weighs round 5.5 kilos (2.5 kilograms). It has the basic penguin black-and-white coloration, and has a slim white stripe working from its eye to the chin, and a black band working alongside the perimeters and high of its breast.
When swimming, the penguin’s darkish again supplies camouflage from above, whereas its lighter underside protects it from predators under.
The Galápagos penguin hunts within the cool, nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell currents. It feeds primarily on small fish reminiscent of sardines and mullet, and hunts through the day.
The Galápagos penguin mates for all times. It varieties small colonies for breeding, typically nesting in crevices or lava caves to flee extremes of temperature.
Galápagos Racer
- Scientific identify: Pseudalsophis biserialis
- Household: Colubridae
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Close to Threatened
The Galápagos racer is certainly one of solely three snake species within the Galápagos. It’s a slender, mildly-venomous snake, sometimes rising as much as 4 toes (120 centimeters) in size. It has a brown or grayish physique with refined stripes or patterns that present camouflage among the many rocks and dry vegetation of the islands.
This snake is an lively predator, feeding on small mammals, lizards, bugs, and infrequently the hatchlings of birds and marine iguanas. It’s recognized for its pace and agility, each on the bottom and when navigating rocky terrain.
The snake’s inhabitants is threatened by launched predators reminiscent of rats and feral cats.
Galápagos Rice Rat
- Scientific identify: Aegialomys galapagoensis
- Household: Cricetidae
- Order: Rodentia
- Class: Mammalia
- Conservation Standing: Susceptible
The Galápagos rice rat is a small, nocturnal rodent discovered on Santa Fé Island, one of many smaller Galápagos islands. It sometimes measures about 6 to eight inches (15–20 centimeters) in physique size, with a tail roughly the identical size.
Its mushy, brownish-gray fur helps it mix into its dry, scrubby atmosphere.
Primarily herbivorous, the Galápagos rice rat feeds on seeds, fruits, and vegetation, though it often consumes bugs and small invertebrates.
The Galápagos rice rat is essentially solitary, rising at evening to forage, and it nests in burrows or crevices for cover through the day.
The species faces important threats from launched predators reminiscent of cats and rats. As we speak it’s only recognized to be current on Santa Fé Island, having turn out to be extinct on San Cristóbal Island a number of a long time in the past.
Galápagos Sea Lion
- Scientific identify: Zalophus wollebaeki
- Household: Otariidae (Eared Seals)
- Order: Carnivora
- Class: Mammalia
- Conservation Standing: Endangered
Though additionally discovered on Ecuador’s Isla de la Plata, and due to this fact not fairly endemic to the Galápagos Islands, we’ve got included the Galápagos sea lion on this listing because it is likely one of the islands most iconic animals.
This marine mammal is a typical sight on the islands’ seashores and rocky shorelines.
Regardless of being the world’s smallest sea lion species, very giant grownup male Galápagos sea lions can attain lengths of as much as 8.2 toes (2.5 meters) and weights of as much as 880 kilos (400 kilograms). Females are significantly smaller than males, sometimes weighing round 220 kilos (100 kilograms).
Like different members of the eared seal household, the Galápagos sea lion has exterior ear flaps and hind flippers that may flip forwards to facilitate strolling on land.
The Galápagos sea lion feeds on fish, squid, and different marine creatures. It’s a expert swimmer, utilizing its highly effective entrance flippers to propel itself by means of the water.
Galápagos Tortoise
- Scientific identify: Chelonoidis niger
- Household: Testudinidae (Tortoises)
- Order: Testudines
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Populations vary from Susceptible to Critically Endangered
The Galápagos tortoise is the most important dwelling species of tortoise, with some people rising over 6 toes (1.8 meters) in size and weighing over 880 kilos (400 kilograms).
This big reptile is the world’s largest dwelling cold-blooded land animal. It basks within the solar for no less than an hour within the morning to heat up its big physique.
The Galápagos tortoise has a lifespan of effectively over 100 years, with some people estimated to be greater than 170 years previous.
The Spanish explorers who found the Galápagos Islands named them after the enormous tortoises: “galápago” means “tortoise” in Spanish.
The shells of Galápagos tortoises fluctuate in form relying on the island on which they’re discovered, with some populations having “saddleback” shells, which arch upwards on the entrance, and others having domed shells.
Galapagos big tortoises are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, cacti, and fruits.
Massive Painted Locust
- Scientific identify: Schistocerca melanocera
- Household: Acrididae
- Order: Orthoptera
- Class: Insecta
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Not Evaluated
The big painted locust is a putting insect discovered within the Galápagos Islands. It’s notable for its vivid coloration, with brilliant yellow and inexperienced physique patterns accented by black markings. Its hind legs are highly effective, permitting for robust, long-distance jumps, and it has clear wings with a slight tint, used for brief flights when essential.
This locust is primarily herbivorous, feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of varied plant. Its brilliant colours might function a warning to potential predators about its disagreeable style.
The big painted locust is a meals supply for a lot of endemic Galápagos animals, such because the Galápagos hawk, mockingbird and lava lizards.
Magnificent Frigatebird
Scientific Title: Fregata magnificens
Household: Fregatidae
Order: Suliformes
Class: Aves
Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The magnificent frigatebird is a putting seabird recognized for its lengthy, slender wings and deeply forked tail, which give it a chic, hovering flight. The male is well acknowledged by its inflatable purple throat pouch, which it shows throughout courtship to draw a mate.
The species is a frequent sight within the Galápagos Islands, however shouldn’t be endemic to the islands. It’s present in tropical and subtropical areas on each the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Americas.
The species primarily feeds on fish and squid, typically snatching prey from the ocean floor or stealing meals from different birds in mid-air, incomes its nickname “pirate hen.” The frigatebird not often lands on water on account of its underdeveloped waterproofing. It nests in low shrubs or bushes.
There are 5 species of frigatebirds. Additionally discovered on the Galápagos Islands is the marginally smaller nice frigatebird (Fregata minor).
Marine Iguana
- Scientific identify: Amblyrhynchus cristatus
- Household: Iguanidae (Iguanas & Family)
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Susceptible
One of many Galápagos Islands’ most uncommon animals is the marine iguana. It’s the solely lizard on the earth that has tailored to a marine life-style.
The marine iguana feeds on algae, diving into the ocean to graze off underwater rocks. Its flattened tail and sharp claws help in swimming and clinging to rocky surfaces.
The marine iguana expels extra salt from its physique by means of particular glands positioned close to its nostrils, typically producing a particular “sneezing” sound whereas doing so.
This distinctive reptile grows as much as 4.6 toes (1.4 meters) in size, and most people have darkish, or black pores and skin, though some populations are extra colourful. Males develop reddish or greenish hues through the breeding season.
The darkish colour of the pores and skin helps the cold-blooded lizard to soak up warmth after swimming within the cool waters across the islands–after rising from the water, the iguana basks within the solar to heat up.
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Scientific Title: Grapsus grapsus
Household: Grapsidae
Order: Decapoda
Class: Malacostraca
Conservation Standing: Not Evaluated
The sally lightfoot crab is a vibrantly-colored crustacean discovered alongside the rocky shores of the Galápagos Islands and different tropical and subtropical coasts (the species shouldn’t be endemic to the Galápagos Islands).
The crab’s putting coloration, which incorporates brilliant purple, orange, yellow, and blue, makes it a particular function of the intertidal zone. Its flattened physique and powerful legs allow it to cling to slippery surfaces and swiftly navigate rocks whereas evading predators and crashing waves. It has good reactions and is ready to leap.
Feeding totally on algae, the sally lightfoot crab additionally scavenges natural materials, taking part in an necessary function within the Galápagos islands ecosystems.
Swallow-Tailed Gull
- Scientific identify: Creagrus furcatus
- Household: Laridae
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The swallow-tailed gull is a putting seabird largely endemic to the Galápagos Islands, but additionally present in very small numbers on Colombia’s Malpelo Island. This distinctive gull species is well recognizable by its deeply forked tail and distinctive purple eye rings. It’s medium-sized, with a wingspan of about 1 meter. Its head is black through the breeding season, and white at different instances of the yr.
This gull is the one nocturnal gull on the earth, feeding primarily at evening. Its weight loss plan consists of squid and small fish, that are interested in the floor by bioluminescent organisms.
The swallow-tailed gull has the most important eyes of any gull. As well as, and like many nocturnal animals, its eyes are geared up with a tapetum lucidum – a reflective layer behind the retina that improves evening imaginative and prescient. These variations permit the gull to hunt at midnight ocean waters.
The swallow-tailed gull nests in colonies on rocky cliffs, typically selecting inaccessible ledges to guard its eggs from predators.
Checklist Of Main Galapagos Islands
The main Galápagos Islands, listed so as of dimension together with their areas in each sq. kilometers and sq. miles, are as follows:
- Isabela Island – 4,640 km² (1,792 sq. mi), the most important island within the archipelago.
- Santa Cruz Island – 986 km² (381 sq. mi), recognized for its central location and the city of Puerto Ayora.
- Fernandina Island – 642 km² (248 sq. mi), dwelling to the lively La Cumbre volcano.
- Santiago Island – 585 km² (226 sq. mi), also referred to as James Island, with diverse wildlife and volcanic landscapes.
- San Cristóbal Island – 558 km² (215 sq. mi), the easternmost island and site of the provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
- Floreana Island – 173 km² (67 sq. mi), notable for its human historical past and distinctive wildlife.
- Marchena Island – 130 km² (50 sq. mi), largely uninhabited with restricted entry for guests.
- Española Island – 60 km² (23 sq. mi), the oldest island within the archipelago, well-known for its waved albatross colony.
- Pinta Island – 60 km² (23 sq. mi), often called the previous dwelling of Lonesome George, the final Pinta tortoise.
- Baltra Island – 27 km² (10 sq. mi), an necessary hub for vacationers, internet hosting one of many Galápagos’ essential airports.
- Santa Fé Island – 24 km² (9 sq. mi), recognized for its distinctive species of iguana.
- Genovesa Island – 14 km² (5 sq. mi), a birdwatcher’s paradise on account of its considerable avian life.
Conclusion & Additional Studying
We hope that you simply loved studying in regards to the wonderful animals of the Galápagos Islands. Tell us your favourite animal within the feedback under!
Uncover extra animals on the next pages:
- You possibly can see extra South American animals on this web page: South American Animals
- Go to our essential animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
