5 Exotic Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands

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Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean. It is a volcanic archipelago and also the most famous destination for exploring and viewing wildlife. This isolated terrain is home to numerous exotic animals. If you love to traverse through forests and have a keen interest in wildlife photography, you must visit this destination. Although there is a long list of animals to see in Galapagos Islands, here are the best ones that you can expect to see.

5 Best Animals to See in Galapagos Islands

Here’s a list of the most amazing animals to look for in the Galapagos Islands –

1. Giant Tortoises

The Galapagos giant tortoises are among the most famous animals on this island. Even the name of this island is named after them. Galapagos is an old Spanish word that stands for tortoises. Although there are several species, these can be broadly categorized into two types — domed and saddle-backed tortoises. The former kinds can live in humid climates, while the latter prefer arid environments. The best time to see giant tortoises in Galapagos is after June. This is the perfect climate for them to find a mate; hence they are more active during this time.

2. Galapagos Green Turtles

The Galapagos Green Turtles are one of the rarest turtles and are encountered only in a few places, including the Galapagos. These species are the sole ones to make a nest in this archipelago. Females visit this place multiple times a year to lay their eggs and are one of the most common species sighted. The primary habitat of these is from tropical to subtropical waters, and most adults are vegetarians, whereas juveniles can consume almost everything. These can be spotted in the coastal water across the archipelago, and from December to March, you can see female turtles waiting to lay their eggs.

3. Galapagos Sea Lion

While on Galapagos, you might see these wonderful creatures sleeping on the shore or swimming close to the shore. These mammals are widespread on the island and are one of the most iconic animals to see in Galapagos. Also, these animals rarely migrate to other locations so you can see them all year round. These cute animals come from the seal family, but these are not actual seals and are primarily breeds of the Galapagos Island. So, you can explore the island, spot them, and make your trip memorable.

4. Galapagos Fur Seal

These creatures love to rest in the shades along the rocky coastline during the day and hence are rarely seen across the sunny shores of the Galapagos. These fur seals are endemic to this island and are classified as endangered by IUCN. They usually hunt at night, and for this, they have large eyes so that they can spot predators like sharks. You can see these creatures in almost all islands of this archipelago but are primarily visible at the Darwin Bay on Genovesa and the James Bay on Santiago.

5. Marine Iguanas

These are one of the most popular species and are the only sea-going lizards in the world endemic to the Galapagos. Marine Iguanas have eleven similar subspecies, which can be encountered in different islands but mostly in Fernandina and Isabela. Apart from these two places, you can see these creatures in Floreana, Española, Santa Cruz, and other islets around them. These can be seen throughout the year and are primarily active during the day and spend most of the day relaxing on the rocks.

What’s more?

Other than these exotic animals, you can also catch glimpses of the following species:

• Waved Albatross
• Galapagos Hawk
• Blue-Footed Boobies
• Flamingos
• Galapagos Penguins
• Sally Lightfoot Crabs
• Flightless Cormorant
• Darwin’s Finches
• Frigate birds
• Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

If you are still wondering why tourists visit the Galapagos Islands, it is because travelers get to witness this spectacular wildlife. It’s evident that Galapagos Islands are teeming with exotic animals. So, if you are a fan of wildlife, you can see some of the most deadly and unique wildlife here. Other than those listed above, some other species to see in Galapagos Islands include Nazca Booby, Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Flycatcher, and others.