Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands

A Galapagos wildlife holiday provides a wildlife utopia quite apart from the rest of mainland Ecuador. The overwhelming biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin's seminal book "On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection".

Such is the extent of the rigorous protection and respect for these islands that visitation numbers are tightly regulated, and the inimitably photogenic wildlife is fearless of man; a place where nature and man enjoy a rare equilibrium.

Nowhere on earth is it possible to observe so many of the planet’s species at unfeasibly close range as the Galapagos Islands, which justifies its unwavering popularity as the pinnacle destination of any wildlife holiday.

What to spot on a Galapagos Islands adventure?

Marine Iguanas

• The marine iguana is the only lizard in the world with the ability to live and forage at sea and is endemic to the Galapagos Archipelago. There are eleven very similar subspecies, found on different islands, with those from Isabela and Fernandina being the largest.
• Marine iguanas are not a very agile species on land, but they are excellent swimmers – moving easily through the water as they feed on algae.
• Larger individuals go further out to sea and use their powerful claws to grip on to rocks in strong currents to feed, whilst the smaller ones stay inshore near rock pools, feeding on algae exposed at low tide.

Giant Tortoise

• The Galapagos giant tortoise is one of the most famous animals of the Islands, with the Archipelago named after them.
• The Galapagos giant tortoise spends an average of 16 hours per day resting. The rest of their time is spent eating grass, fruits and cactus pads.
• They enjoy bathing in water and can survive for up to a year without water or food.

Sea Lion

• The Galapagos sea lion is a species that primarily breeds in the Galapagos Islands, although some breeding colonies also occur on Isla de la Plata just from mainland Ecuador.
• The sea lions have a smooth and streamlined body shape, making them efficient hunters, especially sardines which are their main prey.
• They can dive to depths of up to almost 600 m and can stay underwater for over ten minutes. They spend a lot of their time resting on beaches or playing and are generally inquisitive.

Sea Turtles

• The most common sea turtle species in the Galapagos is the Green Sea Turtle, the only species of sea turtle known to nest in the Galápagos Islands. Other species, such as the Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles, are less common but may also be found in the surrounding waters.
• Green Sea Turtles come to the shores of the Galapagos to lay their eggs, typically from December to June. The females come ashore at night, dig nests in the sand, and lay clutches of eggs. After about two months, the hatchlings emerge and make their way to the ocean. This nesting process is critical for the continuation of their species and is a major event in the Galapagos ecosystem.

Humpback Whales

• Humpback whales are migratory creatures, traveling thousands of miles between their feeding grounds in polar waters and their breeding grounds in warmer tropical waters. The Galapagos Islands are part of their migratory route, particularly during the breeding season from June to September.
• Humpback whales can often be seen breaching (leaping out of the water) and slapping the surface with their tails or fins. These behaviors are thought to be a form of communication, mating display, or even play. The waters around the islands provide a relatively safe haven for mothers and their calves, who are often seen swimming together.