The Most Unusual Creatures That Can Be Found On The Galapagos Islands (Prepare To Be Impressed!)
Situated about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands make up a remote archipelago that played a vital role in inspiring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. For centuries, this extraordinary area has been a sanctuary for wildlife lovers, protecting hundreds of species that exist nowhere else on the planet.
Comprising 18 main islands—often known by both Spanish and English names—the Galápagos are home to over 200 documented species. Prepare to explore some of the most captivating and charming animals that inhabit these remarkable islands.
Banded Galapagos Snake
Famous for their vivid golden stripes and remarkable speed, Galápagos snakes are commonly known as racer snakes. Scientists believe they reached the islands by drifting on floating vegetation, which could explain why they look similar to garden snakes.
A standout among them is the banded snake, also called the Pinzón racer, one of six subspecies of Pseudalsophis slevini. This snake is unique to Pinzón Island. For those uneasy around snakes, there's some reassurance: these snakes generally avoid humans and carry only mild venom.
Sea Lions
You didn't think we’d mention sea lions without diving deeper, did you? The Zalophus wollebaeki is a sea lion species found exclusively breeding on the Galápagos Islands. These sociable creatures frequently interact with humans, but sadly, this closeness often brings harmful consequences.
While many enjoy watching their laid-back and affectionate behavior, these sea lions face dangers from waste, fishing nets, and hooks. Even though you’ll often spot sea lion families lounging on the beaches, they remain an endangered species.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
The scalloped hammerhead shark is instantly identifiable by its distinctive cephalofoil—the flattened, hammer-shaped extension at the front of its head. Unlike the great hammerhead's broad and flat cephalofoil, the scalloped hammerhead’s head arches with notched edges.
These intriguing sharks are commonly seen near Darwin and Wolf Islands in January, according to the Galápagos Conservation Trust. While the shark in the photo is a juvenile, adults can reach lengths of about 9 feet and weigh up to 200 pounds.
Marine Iguana
This graceful reptile is a marine iguana, a species found only in the Galápagos Islands. Their size and coloration vary across the different subspecies scattered throughout the archipelago. This one was seen swimming near Isabela Island.
Although this iguana sports a mostly gray hue, some marine iguanas display vibrant shades of teal or scarlet. Known scientifically as Amblyrhynchus cristatus, they can reach lengths up to 3.3 feet. Found both on land and underwater, they're often called "sea iguanas" or "saltwater iguanas."
Brown Pelican
The brown pelican may sound familiar—it's related to the more commonly known white pelican, those large birds with impressive yellow beaks. Although native to North America, brown pelicans have subspecies often named after the particular regions where they reside and breed.
The pelican pictured here is a Pelecanus occidentalis urinator, a subspecies native to the Galápagos Islands. While smaller than other pelican varieties, they remain considerably large compared to most other birds.
Short-Eared Owl
For the record, owl ears are not actually visible since they are covered with feathers. The owls belonging to genus Asio are those whose feathers come up at the top to resemble what look like ears to humans. Thus, the short-eared owl is known as the Asio flammeus.
The species found in the Galapagos Islands are one of ten known subspecies. You can recognize these owls by their bright yellow eyes, which are exaggerated against their black facial feathers. They also have irregular wingbeats that make them look floppy in flight.
Galapagos Fur Seal
Like many coastal areas, the Galápagos Islands are home to numerous sea lions—but spotting their close relative, the Galápagos fur seal, is a bit more challenging. Scientifically known as Arctocephalus galapagoensis, these seals are smaller than sea lions and stand out thanks to their thick, fuzzy coats.
Though they're less visible, fur seals have a population size comparable to that of sea lions. The main difference? You won’t find them sunbathing on open beaches. Instead, they prefer to hide away in rocky coves or rest along the shores of Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
Española Cactus Finch
The Galápagos finches gained their fame thanks to the scientist Charles Darwin, a figure many of us first encountered in school. Known for their remarkable diversity, this group includes 15 different species, one of which is the Geospiza conirostris, commonly called the Española cactus finch.
This finch is named after Española Island, one of the few Galápagos islands where it resides. While it closely resembles the common cactus finch in appearance, don't mistake one for the other—they actually live on entirely separate islands.
Red-lipped Batfish
Also called the Galápagos batfish, the species Ogcocephalus darwini is found exclusively around the Galápagos Islands, according to the Galápagos Conservation Trust. What sets this fish apart is its preference for walking instead of swimming, using its fins like little legs to move along the ocean floor.
Named after Charles Darwin, who first spotted the fish during his visit to the islands in 1835, its unusual appearance is often seen as a striking example of the unique adaptations that can arise through natural selection.
Galapagos Mockingbird
The mockingbird is famous worldwide, partly because of its frequent appearances in literature. The Galápagos Islands are home to their own version of this bird, scientifically known as Mimus parvulus.
This species has six subspecies, each native to a different Galápagos island. You can identify these birds by their long beaks and legs. Although harmless to humans, these omnivorous birds won't hesitate to feast on eggs and small turtles.
Caribbean Flamingo
The Caribbean flamingo, also known as the American flamingo, breeds both in the Galápagos and throughout the Caribbean. The Galápagos population stands out with a few unique traits, including a smaller size and the production of smaller eggs.
Typically, these vibrant pink birds reach about four feet in height. Scientifically called Phoenicopterus ruber, their striking color comes from their diet. They also feature black-tipped wings, which become visible only when they spread their wings wide.
Frigatebird
Frigatebirds are one of the rare species whose common name closely matches their scientific name (Fregatidae). Two subspecies can be found on the Galápagos Islands: the Magnificent Frigate and the Great Frigate.
Although they share a similar appearance, the Great Frigate is more widely distributed across various regions. As a result, the Frigates commonly seen soaring over the Galápagos are primarily Magnificent Frigates, which prefer staying closer to the coast and are native to the area.
Sally Lightfoot Crab
This stunning creature is scientifically known as Grapsus grapsus (yes, the name is the same in both its scientific and common forms). While this might seem unusual, its common name, the Sally Lightfoot Crab, is even more curious.
There's a tale that the crab was named after a Caribbean dancer, though the origin remains uncertain. What’s clear, however, is that the crab is a master of movement, leaping and bounding with such agility that it can seem as though it’s flying. You can spot these lively crabs scurrying along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Peru, including the Galápagos Islands.
Yellow Warbler
The Setophaga petechia aureola is a subspecies of the Yellow Warbler that calls the Galápagos Islands home. This bird is easily recognizable by its vibrant yellow plumage and melodious song.
A closer look reveals the distinctive feature that sets this subspecies apart: a brown-red patch of feathers on its head. Preferring the humid conditions of island life, they thrive in a coastal climate. The Mangrove or Golden Warbler are also names commonly used to refer to this charming species.
Galapagos Tortoise
Scientifically known as Chelonoidis nigra, these giants are the largest living species of tortoise. They typically weigh around 550 pounds, but some can reach an incredible 900 pounds! Despite their size, they're also known for their longevity, often living over 150 years.
In fact, the Galápagos Islands were named after them—"Galápago" is an old Spanish word for tortoise. According to the Galapagos Conservation Trust, there are currently about 20,000 of these remarkable tortoises living across the islands.
Blue-Footed Booby
One of the most iconic birds of the Galápagos Islands, the blue-footed booby stands out with its vibrant blue feet and unique, showy mating dance. As graceful as they are in the water, they're surprisingly awkward on land—which is actually how they got their name.
Scientifically known as Sula nebouxii, the name "booby" comes from the Spanish word bobo, meaning "clown" or "fool." And while they might look a bit goofy waddling around, don’t underestimate them—watching one dive headfirst into the ocean and emerge with a mouthful of fish is nothing short of impressive.
Galapagos Penguin
Scientists call this endangered species Spheniscus mendiculus, these penguins are native to the Galapagos islands, making them the most Northern penguins around. The adorable species is also one of the smaller of its kind, averaging only 19 inches in height.
Despite being roughly the size of a human baby, the penguins are extremely skilled hunters underwater. The cool ocean is also how they maintain their temperature in such a warm climate. They also stay out of the sun, creating homes in the caves of Isabela island.
Lava Lizard
For most of us, lizards are a familiar and friendly sight to see. However, the lava lizards of the Galapagos Islands will take your breath away with their bright colors and long bodies. These creatures vary in color and are on average about 3/4 of a foot long.
Males typically have more patterning but females sometimes have red in their throat or head. You can sometimes see the males doing "pushups," a way to intimidate other males and warn them to stay off their property.
Waved Albatross
The waved albatross, aka the Galapagos albatross, is the only species in its scientific family to live in a tropical climate. For this reason, the birds have a special feature unique to their species: a salt gland above their nasal passage.
This gland helps to regulate the salt in their body since they often ingest ocean water. Known by scientists as Phoebastria irrorata, these distinguished birds get their common name from the pattern on their feathers, which look like waves.
American Oystercatcher
As this picture shows, the Haematopus palliatus is skilled at catching oysters, which gave the bird its common name. They are distinguished by their black and white feathers and long, orange beak.
While many of the other species on the Galapagos islands stick to the Pacific coast, these birds can be spotted around both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Their population in the Galapagos islands is only around 400. They are usually spotted in pairs, so if you manage to find one, another is likely to be nearby.
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