The Galapagos Islands have a unique and varied collection of animals. They are truly oceanic islands having never been connected to any land mass, they are further isolated because currents and winds make it unlikely that flora or fauna will be carried from any other land mass, arrivals have been rare.
This isolation has led to several groups undergoing adaptive radiation from small and very occasional founder populations. The result is an unusual collection of animals, that often occupy niches that are more commonly occupied by very different animals elsewhere in the world.
Galapagos Animals - 1
page 2
Some of the
Animals Found in the Galapagos Islands
There are many species found in the Galapagos, some of them
are endemic to the islands, others are found elsewhere as well.
Here are some of the iconic or unusual inhabitants of
that you might expect to be able to see if you pay a visit.
Giant Tortoises
Geochelone
nigra
One of the most iconic members of the Galapagos fauna, different islands have their own forms.
Darwin's Finches
subfamily
Geospizinae / Geospizini
A group of 15 species that evolved by adaptive radiation from a single founder species.
Marine Iguanas
Amblyrhynchus
cristatus
The world's only sea-going lizard, they dive to feed on algae.
Galapagos Penguin
Sphensicus
mendiculus
The most northerly penguin species and the only one in the northern hemisphere.
Great Frigatebird - Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata minor ridgwayi - Fregrata magnificens
Two species of immodestly named oceanic birds that can stay aloft for weeks on end.
Blue Footed Booby
Sula nebouxii
Charismatic megafauna at its finest, striking appearance and bizarre behaviour.
Galapagos Sea Lion
Zalophus
wollebaeki
A unique Galapagos species of an animal type found elsewhere.
Nazca Booby
Sula granti
The largest of the Galapagos booby species, unique to the islands.
Flightless Cormorant
Phalacrocorax
harrisi
The largest cormorant species and the only one that can't fly, only found on the Galapagos.
Red Footed Booby
Sula sula
The smallest booby on the islands and the most varied.
Waved Albatross
Phoebastria
irrorata
The only tropical albatross, breeds only here but flies 2,000 km to feed.
Such as this Sally Lightfoot crab. As well as a collection of unique endemic animals, there are many other wildlife species that call the Galapagos home for all or part of the year and that are found elsewhere too.
Top banner credit - Ndecam from London UK, used under CC2 Attribution Generic license.