The Galapagos Islands are known to offer a biodiversity that is second to none in this world. Indeed, the archipelago is inhabited by many endemic, protected species. The Galapagos is home to 58 bird species, 28 of which are endemic to the archipelago, which implies that they can be found only here. Numerous species of reptiles, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises are also found here.
Besides, the underwater fauna that is present here is one of the richest in the world and protected by the Galapagos Marine Reserve, with more than 300 species of fish, sharks, small mammals (sea lions), and cetaceans such as humpback whales.
Land Iguana
The land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus), which is scientifically named Conolophus, is a species that is endemic to the Galapagos archipelago. Conolophus are divided into 3 subspecies and they are discussed below.
Being the most common of the Conolophus in the Galapagos archipelago, the Galapagos land iguana was discovered by Gray in 1831.
Size: Ranges from 90cm to 1.50m.
Weight: Ranges from 8 to 13 kilograms.
Aspect: Yellowish / brown scaly skin.
Food: Mainly herbivorous, but may feed on insects depending on the time of year.
Nesting: Throughout the year. Females, which are oviparous, lay eggs that range between 2 and 25 at the same time. The hatch occurs sometime between 90 and 150 days later.
Lifespan: 50–60 years.
Population: 5,000–10,000 individuals. Vulnerable species (VU for the IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Fernandina Island, Isabela Island (North Island), Santa Cruz Island (Cerro Dragon), North Seymour Island, and South Plaza Island.
Being the rarest of the Conolophus that can be spotted in the Galapagos archipelago, the pink iguana (Conolophus marthae) was discovered by Gray in 1986 and identified as a species in 2009.
Size: Approximately 70 centimetres.
Weight: About 6 kilograms.
Aspect: Scaly, pinkish skin with dark stripes.
Food: Mainly herbivorous, but can feed on insects depending on the time of year.
Nesting: Throughout the year. Females, which are oviparous, lay eggs that range between 2 and 7 at the same time. The hatch occurs sometime between 90 and 150 days later.
Lifespan: Unknown due to recent discovery.
Population: 180–200 individuals. Critically Endangered Species (CR for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: On the slopes of Wolf Volcano to the north of Isabela Island.
Being the third species of Conolophus that can be spotted in the Galapagos archipelago, the Santa Fe iguana (Conolophus pallidus)was discovered by Heller in 1903.
Size: Approximately 1 metre.
Weight: About 10 kilograms.
Aspect: Scaly, yellowish skin, sandy.
Food: Mainly herbivorous, but can feed on insects depending on the time of year.
Nesting: Throughout the year. Females, which are oviparous, lay eggs that range between 3 and 11 at the same time. The hatch occurs sometime between 50 and 90 days later.
Lifespan: About 19 years.
Population: Vulnerable Species (VU for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: On Santa Fé Island.
Galapagos Giant Tortoise
The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis), which is the emblem of the archipelago, is further classified into 10 different species, or rather subspecies since the differences are minor between individuals. The endemic species on each island are all similar. The Pinta species of tortoises, which were found in Floreana and Fernandina are now extinct subspecies.
The Galapagos archipelago is home to 10 different species of giant tortoises, which are all endemic to the archipelago. However, their characteristics are very similar, and only savvy biologists can tell them apart.
Size: Ranges from 1.2 to 2.2 metres.
Weight: Ranges from 50 to 250 kilograms (record at 422 kilograms).
Aspect: Scales on the legs; long “retractable” neck; tail that is flattened laterally; and distinct patterns on their shells. The colour is dark greenish with white or grey colour on the ventral surface.
Food: Herbivorous-frugivorous.
Nesting: Mainly between January and August. It lays 2 to 16 eggs (depending on the species) between June and December. Sometime between 120 and 240 days later, the young emerge from their shells. Babies are around 60mm in length and weigh between 80 and 150 grams.
Lifespan: 150–200 years.
Population: About 15,000 individuals. Vulnerable species (VU for the IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristobal Island, Española Island, Santiago Island, and Pinzón Island.
Blue-footed Booby
The blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) is a species that is found only on the Pacific coast and in Central America.
It takes its name from “crazy” since once on the ground, it is clumsy and has a particular gait.
The Galapagos archipelago is home to 3 different species of booby birds. Of them, the blue-footed booby is the most famous.
Size: Approximately 80 centimetres
Wingspan: 1.6 metres
Weight: 1.5 kilograms (females are larger than males).
Aspect: Its main and distinctive feature is, of course, its turquoise-blue feet. Apart from that, it has long wings, a triangular tail, and a thick neck. Its eyes are young and face forward, which gives it very good vision. Its nostrils are closed in all circumstances, which allows it to be a good diver.
Food: Small fish (sardines, anchovies, and flying fish) and squid.
Nesting: Throughout the year they lay 2–3 eggs at the same time as females incubate them under their feet. The little ones come out after 44 days.
Lifespan: About 17 years.
Population: 6500 individuals. Least Concern (LC for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island (Punta Pitt), Española Island, Santiago Island, Fernandina Island, and North Seymour Island.
Red-footed Booby
The red-footed booby (Sula sula) is a species that is found only on tropical coasts. This species is not endemic to the Galapagos.
It is the smallest madmen on the planet.
The Galapagos archipelago is home to 3 different species of booby. The red-footed booby is the smallest of the three.
Size: Approximately 71centimetres.
Wingspan: About 1 metre.
Weight: Ranges from 850 to 1100 grams.
Aspect:
Food: Small fish (sardines, anchovies, and flying fish) and squid.
Nesting: All year round, but it only lays one egg at a time and the egg needs to be incubated by both parents in their nest. The little ones come out after 44 days.
Lifespan: About 40 years.
Population: 15,000 individuals. Least Concern (LC for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island (Punta Pitt), Española Island, Santiago Island, Fernandina Island, North Seymour Island, and Genovese Island.
The Galapagos Finch
The Galapagos finch, more commonly known as Darwin’s finch, gets its name from the fact that Charles Darwin used it to validate his theory on the evolution of species.
It is subdivided into 4 subspecies: Geospiza, Camarhynchus, Certhidea, and Pinarolaxias.
The finch is a peculiar bird since it is subdivided into 14 different varieties depending on where they live. Their beaks are the physical characteristic that differentiates them from each other.
Size: Ranges from10 to 20 centimetres.
Weight: Ranges from 10 to 35 grams depending on the subspecies.
Aspect: There are no typical physical characteristics since the 14 subspecies are different. The beaks of finches are their main differentiation.
Food: Some finches eat hard dry seeds while others eat insects or even small fruits.
Nesting: They produce up to 5 broods per season. Most species breed between January and May. The female lays 3–4 eggs, and the incubation period is approximately 12 days.
Population: Unknown. Certain subspecies of finches are considered to be pests. They are therefore endangered.
Where to observe them ?: You will see a different species on each Galapagos island.
The Galapagos Mockingbird
The Galapagos mockingbird (Mimus parvulus) is divided into 4 subspecies within the Galapagos archipelago. It is one of the many endemic species of the Galapagos.
. Each subspecies present physical modifications depending on where they live.
The Galapagos mockingbird is one of the two species that helped Charles Darwin establish his theory of “the evolution of species”.
Size: 25-26cm
Weight: Ranges from 50 to 56 grams.
Aspect: The upper parts of its plumage are brownish-grey. Their tails are dark brown in colour. The bill is short and curved downwards. However, several evolutions have marked this species since they have adapted to the natural habitat environment.
Food:
Nesting: Reproduction takes place from October to April, and the female lays 3 to 4 eggs per brood, and the incubation period is 12 to 13 days. Mockingbirds have two broods per season.
Population: Unknown. The species is not endangered.
Where to observe them ?: You can see them almost anywhere in the Galapagos archipelago: mainly visible in the mangroves arid plains of the islands.
The Madman of Nazca
The Nazca booby (Sula granti) is a species that takes its name from the province by the same name in Peru.
The Galapagos Archipelago holds 3 different species of madmen. The lesser-known Nazca booby is a species that lives on the Pacific Islands off Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Size: 80 – 95cm
Wingspan: About 1,50m
Aspect: Pure white plumage with brown at the tips of the wings and tail. The skin around its eyes is black. It has a pointed beak that is yellowish-orange for males and pinkish for females.
Food: Small fish (sardines, anchovies, and flying fish) and squid.
Nesting: All year round, where 2 eggs are laid but only one is raised. The young emerges after 40 days of being nested by the mother’s feet.
Lifespan: About 23 years.
Population: 10,000–15,000 individuals. Least Concern (LC for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island (Punta Pitt), Española Island, Santiago Island, Fernandina Island, North Seymour Island, and Genovese Island.
Flightless Cormorant
The flightless (or Galapagos) cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) is a species of bird that is endemic to the Galapagos archipelago.
This species of cormorant is endemic to the Galapagos. Over the course of its natural evolution, this bird has lost the use of its wings. Its wings are atrophied and small, hence the disproportion between its physique and wings.
Size: 90cm
Wingspan: Maximum 1m
Weight: 2,5kg to 5kg
Aspect: Black plumage with brown reflections and some scattered white feathers. Its body is similar to any cormorant, however, it no longer possesses the strength to flap its wings to fly; the wings have atrophied over time.
Food: Small fish, small octopuses, and squid.
Nesting: From July to October, they lay 2 or 3 eggs in a nest made of algae. Both parents take turns to incubate the eggs. Females can reproduce 3 times a year.
Population: 1,500 individuals. Vulnerable species (VU for the IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Fernandina Island and north-west of Isabela Island.
Magnificent Frigatebird
The frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is one of the most impressive birds of the Galapagos archipelago. He will impress you with his gular sac, which is at the level of his neck that he will swell during his courtship display. It is a species of bird that was discovered by Mathews in 1914.
Surely, you’ve seen this bird with its swollen red neck. The superb frigate, which is not endemic to the archipelago, remains one of the symbols of the Galapagos.
Size: Male-91cm / female-111 cm.
Wingspan: About 2 metres.
Weight: Male-1.2kg / female-1.7kg.
Aspect: Females have black plumage with white head. Males have full black plumage with a red pocket at the neck. The plumage of this frigate is not waterproof and therefore does not allow it to dive to fish.
Food: Small fish, crabs, flying fish, and jellyfish. The frigate harasses other fishing birds to steal their prey. They can also recover stranded fish.
Nesting: All year round the female lays a single egg in the nest of both parents that is located high in the trees on the island. The incubation period is 7 weeks.
Lifespan: 30–35 years.
Population: Species of Least Concern (LC for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on North Seymour Island, Genovese Island, and Española Island.
Galapagos Penguin
The Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is the smallest species of penguin and also the most northerly. This animal is endemic to the Galapagos archipelago.
These penguins are one of the only penguin species that live without the presence of ice or snow. Indeed, the cold currents allow it to live properly. Its scientific name Spheniscus mendiculus means “little rascal”.
Size: 53 cm
Weight: 1,7 kg – 2,5 kg
Aspect: Its general appearance is very similar to its penguin cousins that live much further to the south. However, the white stripe on the belly of these penguins is wider and they have more hairless heads than other specimens of the same genus.
Food: Small fish.
Nesting: : Reproduction occurs throughout the year. The eggs are incubated by the female and the male for about 40 days.
Lifespan: 15–20 years.
Population: About 1,500 individuals. Threatened species (EN for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You will spot them on Fernandina Island (eastern part), Isabela Island (north-west), and Bartolomé Island.
Galapagos Turtledove
The turtledove (Zenaida galapagoensis) is one of the many endemic species of the archipelago.
The Galapagos archipelago holds a very significant number of birds, many of which are endemic to the Galapagos archipelago, the Galapagos Dove being one of them.
Size: 18 – 23 cm
Weight: 88g
Aspect:
Food: Cactus seeds and caterpillars.
Nesting: All year round, but varies depending on the food reserves on the islands. The female lays 2 white eggs, and the incubation period lasts about 13 days.
Population: Species of Least Concern (LC for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: Of course, on all the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Albatross
The Galapagos albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) is the only species of albatross that lives in the tropics. Your only chance to see them will therefore be in Ecuador.
Of the many endemic species in the Galapagos archipelago, the albatross is one of them. You can also observe them on “La Plata” island, an island that is off the Ecuadorian coast.
Size: 85 – 93 centimetres.
Weight: 3kg – 5kg
Wingspan: 2,30m – 2,50m
Aspect: The albatross is the largest bird in the Galapagos archipelago. It has an ashy brown body with a white head. The bill is long, yellow, and hooked at the tip.
Food: Since they are great fishers, they eat fish, squid, and shellfish..
Nesting: Reproduction begins in April. The female lays only egg in a hole, which is then incubated by both parents for 2 months.
Population: 35,000 individuals. Threatened species (CR for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Española Island and La Plata Island (off the Ecuadorian coast).
Galapagos Hawk
The Galapagos hawk (Buteo galapagoensis), also known as Galapagos eagle, is one of the only species of raptor that you will find within the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos hawk is an endemic species of raptor that are found in the archipelago. This species is slowly becoming extinct, and this hawk is no longer present on some islands.
Size: 55 centimetres.
Weight: 1kg – 1,3kg
Wingspan: 120cm
Aspect: The main plumage of this raptor is brown with a pale-grey tail. It strongly resembles the common raptors that are found in Europe.
Food: Birds, reptiles, and rodents that they capture in flight.
Nesting: There is no main breeding season. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs and the incubation period lasts just under 40 days.
Population: An estimated 300 individuals. Vulnerable species (VU for IUCN). The species is extinct on Baltra, Daphne, Floreana, San Cristobal, and North Seymour Islands.
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Santiago Island, Isabela Island, Santa Fé Island, Española Island, and Fernandina Island.
Caribbean Flamingo
The Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), which is often confused with the flamingo, is a species in its own right. It is also called Cuban flamingo or red flamingo.
In the past, this species of flamingo was considered as a subspecies of the flamingo before scientists reconsidered it.
Size: 120to 145 centimetres.
Weight: 2kg – 4kg
Aspect: The plumage of the Caribbean flamingo is pink or red, such that the intensity varies depending on the diet.
Food: larvae and small shrimp.
Nesting: The breeding season is between May and August. The female lays a single egg that she incubates for 4 weeks.
Population: 500 individuals. Threatened species (EN for IUCN).
Where to observe them ?: In the lagoons and Galapagos lava fields.
Galapagos Red Crab
The red crab (Grapsus grapsus), or the sally lightfoot crab, is the most common species on the west coast of the Americas.
This species of crab is not endemic to the Galapagos archipelago, but it remains very iconic.
Size: 5 – 8 centimetres.
Aspect: Gradient from yellow to red. Males are smaller than females.
Food: Molluscs, sponges, or bird eggs.
Population: Species are not assessed by IUCN.
Galápagos Marine Iguana
The Galapagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus Cristatus) is the only representative of the Amblyrhynchus family. Your only chance to see them will therefore be in the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos archipelago is one of the places on earth where the most endemic species are found. The marine iguana is one of them.
Size: Male-1.70m / female-1m
Weight: : Male-15kg / female-10kg
Aspect: The marine iguana is black or grey in colour with a scaly skin. During the breeding season, the males of the southern islands take on brick red or greenish colours.
Food: Herbivorous throughout its life. It feeds on algae.
Nesting: From November to December. After a gestation of 3 months, the female lays 2–3 eggs in the sand. They reproduce every 2 years.
Population: 200,000–300,000 individuals (estimate). Vulnerable species (VU for the IUCN).
Life expectancy: 30 years.
Where to observe them ?: You can spot them on Española Island, Santiago Island, Fernandina Island, and Sombrero chino.
Galapagos Sea Lion
The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), as its name suggests, is endemic to the pacific archipelago.
It will be present throughout your stay on the islands.
Size: Male-2 to 2.5 metres / female-1.5 to 2 metres
Weight: Male-180 to 230 kilograms / female-60 to 100 kilograms
Aspect: The female Galapagos sea lion has a long, slender neck and broad torso unlike the male. The muzzle is narrow and long for both males and females. The skin of the Galapagos sea lion is leathery black.
Food: Eat all types of fish.
Nesting: Between June and January generally. The gestation period of the female is approximately 11 months, so the Galapagos sea lions only mate every 2 or 3 years.
Population: About 50,000 individuals (information imprecise). Endangered species (EN for IUCN).
Life expectancy: Between 15 and 24 years.
Where to observe them ?: On all islands of the Galapagos archipelago.
Galapagos Fur Seal
The Galapagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) is the second species of sea lion that is endemic to the Galapagos Archipelago.
The two endemic sea lion species that are found in the Galapagos are physically very distinct. In fact, neither the size nor the skin of these two species are alike.
Size: Male-1.5 to 1.6 metres / female-1.1 to 1.3 metres
Weight: Male-60 to 70 kilograms / female-25 to 30 kilograms
Aspect: The Galapagos fur seal is stockier than the Galapagos sea lion. Their muzzles are smaller and shorter. The colour of their fur is pale brown-grey and lighter on the belly for males.
Food: Eat small fish, squid, or molluscs.
Nesting: Between August and November. The gestation period of the female is 11 to 12 months. Usually, females give birth every two years.
Population: About 25,000 individuals. Endangered species (EN for IUCN).
Life expectancy: About 25 years.
Where to observe them ?: On all the islands of the Galapagos archipelago.