The Galápagos Islands are positioned within the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles (970 kilometers) west of mainland Ecuador.
Resulting from their distant location, the Galápagos Islands are house to a lot of endemic animals; animals which are 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 idea of pure choice.
On this web page, we’ll uncover a number of the Galápagos Islands’ most iconic species. All the animals featured are endemic to the islands, and are subsequently discovered nowhere else on Earth.
Watch the video under to see a number of the superb endemic species of the Galápagos Islands:
Galápagos Islands Animals Checklist
Darwin’s Finches / Galápagos Finches
- Scientific title: Varied
- Household: Thraupidae (Tanagers)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Varies by species
Darwin’s finches are a bunch of round 18 species of small songbirds within the tanager household. All however one species (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 position in inspiring Charles Darwin’s idea 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 completely different finch species had developed from a single ancestral species, with every fashionable species having developed particular variations for a selected food regimen.
Flightless Cormorant
- Scientific title: 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, in contrast to different cormorants, is unable to fly. As an alternative, it depends on its glorious swimming and diving talents. It has robust, webbed ft and a streamlined physique.
The flightless cormorant developed 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 items of seaweed and different nesting objects.
Galápagos Dove
- Scientific title: 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 definitely 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 usually discovered on arid elements of the Galápagos Islands, the place it forages on the bottom for seeds, fruits, and sometimes 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 title: Myiarchus magnirostris
- Household: Tyrannidae
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos flycatcher, often known as the large-billed flycatcher, is a small, energetic fowl discovered all through the Galápagos Islands. Its massive, 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 coloration.
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 identified for its daring habits and curiosity, typically approaching people carefully. The fowl additionally feeds on small fruits, particularly throughout the dry season when bugs are much less ample.
Galápagos Fur Seal
- Scientific title: 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 ft (1.5 meters) in size and weigh round 130 kilos (60 kilograms), and could be twice the scale of females.
Like different fur seals, the Galápagos fur seal has a layer of thick fur. This offers the mammal with insulation within the comparatively cool waters of the Galápagos Islands. The seal is especially nocturnal, its massive eyes serving to it to see whereas attempting to find prey akin to fish and squid.
The Galápagos fur seal spends nearly a 3rd of its day trip of the water – a bigger proportion than another 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 title: 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 fowl of prey has a wingspan of round 120 cm and is provided with robust talons and a hooked beak for catching prey.
A carnivore, the Galápagos hawk preys on all kinds of animals, together with bugs, reptiles, birds and small mammals. A number of of the opposite animals on this record of Galápagos Islands animals characteristic within the hawk’s food regimen, together with the massive painted locust, Galápagos dove, Galápagos mockingbird, lava lizard, racer snake and swallow-tailed gull. It’ll additionally eat carrion.
The hawk is thought for searching in cooperative teams, with a number of birds working collectively to find prey utilizing their glorious eyesight.
Galápagos Land Iguana
- Scientific title: 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 ft (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 Galápagos land iguana is primarily herbivorous. Its favourite meals is prickly pear cactus, which additionally offers the reptile with water.
The Galápagos land iguana lives in dry habitats, and this cold-blooded animal is commonly seen basking within the solar to control its physique temperature. Throughout the hottest elements of the day, it seeks shade beneath rocks or vegetation.
Galápagos Lava Lizard
- Scientific title: Microlophus albemarlensis
- Household: Tropiduridae (Neotropical floor lizards)
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos lava lizard is one in every 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 diversified 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 Galápagos lava lizard is thought for its distinctive territorial shows, by which males carry out “push-ups” to determine dominance and deter rivals.
The Galápagos lava lizard performs an essential position within the Galápagos meals chain each as predator of bugs and as prey to animals akin to snakes, scorpions and birds. It’s able to altering coloration for camouflage, and may detach its tail to evade predators.
Galápagos Mockingbird
- Scientific title: Mimus parvulus
- Household: Mimidae (Mockingbirds, Thrashers & Associated)
- Order: Passeriformes
- Class: Aves
- Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The Galápagos mockingbird is one in every of 4 mockingbird species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, and essentially the most widespread. It’s medium-small, long-legged fowl, 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’ll typically strategy people carefully, 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 identified 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 are strongly territorial.
Galápagos Penguin
- Scientific title: 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 Galápagos 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 slender white stripe working from its eye to the chin, and a black band working alongside the edges and high of its breast.
When swimming, the penguin’s darkish again offers 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 akin to sardines and mullet, and hunts throughout the day.
The Galápagos penguin mates for all times. It types small colonies for breeding, typically nesting in crevices or lava caves to flee extremes of temperature.
Galápagos Racer
- Scientific title: Pseudalsophis biserialis
- Household: Colubridae
- Order: Squamata
- Class: Reptilia
- Conservation Standing: Close to Threatened
The Galápagos racer is one in every of solely three snake species within the Galápagos. It’s a slender, mildly-venomous snake, sometimes rising as much as 4 ft (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 energetic predator, feeding on small mammals, lizards, bugs, and sometimes the hatchlings of birds and marine iguanas. It’s identified for its velocity and agility, each on the bottom and when navigating rocky terrain.
The snake’s inhabitants is threatened by launched predators akin to rats and feral cats.
Galápagos Rice Rat
- Scientific title: 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 comfortable, 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 basically solitary, rising at night time to forage, and it nests in burrows or crevices for defense throughout the day.
The species faces important threats from launched predators akin to cats and rats. In the present day it’s only identified to be current on Santa Fé Island, having develop into extinct on San Cristóbal Island a number of many years in the past.
Galápagos Sea Lion
- Scientific title: Zalophus wollebaeki
- Household: Otariidae (Eared Seals)
- Order: Carnivora
- Class: Mammalia
- Conservation Standing: Endangered
Though additionally discovered on Ecuador’s Isla de la Plata, and subsequently not fairly endemic to the Galápagos Islands, we’ve got included the Galápagos sea lion on this record 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 massive grownup male Galápagos sea lions can attain lengths of as much as 8.2 ft (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 the water.
Galápagos Tortoise
- Scientific title: 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 residing species of tortoise, with some people rising over 6 ft (1.8 meters) in size and weighing over 880 kilos (400 kilograms).
This large reptile is the world’s largest residing cold-blooded land animal. It basks within the solar for at the very least an hour within the morning to heat up its big physique.
The Galápagos tortoise has a lifespan of nicely over 100 years, with some people estimated to be greater than 170 years outdated.
The Spanish explorers who found the Galápagos Islands named them after the enormous tortoises: “galápago” means “tortoise” in Spanish.
The shells of Galápagos tortoises differ 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.
The Galápagos tortoise is primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, cacti, and fruits.
Massive Painted Locust
- Scientific title: Schistocerca melanocera
- Household: Acrididae
- Order: Orthoptera
- Class: Insecta
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Not Evaluated
The big painted locust is a placing insect discovered within the Galápagos Islands. It’s notable for its vivid coloration, with vibrant 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 needed.
This locust is primarily herbivorous, feeding on the leaves, flowers, and fruits of assorted plant. Its vibrant 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.
Marine Iguana
- Scientific title: 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 way of life.
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 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 ft (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 throughout the breeding season.
The darkish coloration 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.
Swallow-Tailed Gull
- Scientific title: Creagrus furcatus
- Household: Laridae
- Order: Charadriiformes
- Class: Aves
- IUCN Conservation Standing: Least Concern
The swallow-tailed gull is a placing seabird largely endemic to the Galápagos Islands, but additionally present in very small numbers on Colombia’s Malpelo Island. This distinctive gull species is definitely 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 throughout the breeding season, and white at different instances of the yr.
This gull is the one nocturnal gull on the earth, feeding primarily at night time. Its food regimen consists of squid and small fish, that are drawn to 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 outfitted with a tapetum lucidum – a reflective layer behind the retina that improves night time imaginative and prescient. These variations enable 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.
Conclusion & Additional Studying
We hope that you just loved studying concerning the superb animals of the Galápagos Islands. Tell us your favourite animal within the feedback under!
Uncover extra animals on the next pages:
- You’ll be able to see extra South American animals on this web page: South American Animals
- Go to our important animals web page for hyperlinks to animal data and an entire information to the animal kingdom: Animals
