Surprisingly, the Galapagos is not rich in endemic species compared to Hawaii, the Amazon, or other areas. What makes the Galapagos so rich, however, is the proximity and availability to study the amazing animals and plant life found here, as if you were in a university lab! Following is a list and small description of the most famous inhabitants of these enchanted islands:

The Galapagos Tortoise (Testundinidae): You can't go to these islands without falling in love with these funny, pre-historic creatures. All turtles found on the islands belong to the group Geochelone elephantopus. They are divided into 14 sub-species (three of which are extinct), differentiated by the form and size of their shell as well as neck and extremities. Unfortunately, if they don't find a mate for Lonely George soon, there might be 4 extinct species.

 

 

The Marine Turtle (Cheloniidae): This graceful animal is astounding to watch while snorkeling or diving. The pacific green sea turtle is the only resident marine turtle of the Galapagos, and they lay their eggs from December to June. Oftentimes, during these months, you can get volunteer work with the Charles Darwin Research Station, counting nests and marking eggs - a great way to get hands-on experience in the islands.

Marine Iguanas (Iguanidae): The moment you arrive, you'll be tripping over these creatures. This is the only lizard in the world that lives in the ocean, and the three species seen on the islands are endemic. It's brilliant to see them when they're mating, as their black skin turns bright red when the iguanas want to attract a mate.

Land Iguanas (Iguanidae): Also endemic to the islands, these colorful creatures are nothing short of spectacular. They prefer prickly pear cactus, standing on their hind legs to reach the flowering plant. They have a leathery, tough tongue and don't need to remove the spines from the cactus before eating.

Lava Lizards (Iguanidae): Not as big or brilliant, but just as interesting, are these endemic lizards found virtually everywhere on the islands. They sometimes have a splash of orange or red decorating their chin and look like they're doing pushups when showing off for a lady lizard. There are 7 species on the islands.

It's impossible to leave the islands without becoming an avid bird watcher! The Galapagos Islands are famous for the great variety of bird life and how they evolved.

The Cormorant (Phalacrocoracidae): The only flightless cormorant in the world! Over years, it evolved into a great swimmer, losing the capacity to fly. To see this bird, you have to get to the sest side of Isabela. It's well worth the time and trip to see this amazing torpedo in the water.

Penguins (Spheniscidae): This is the only penguin found in equatorial waters - warm waters. It's the most northerly penguin in the world, as the rest are found in the Southern Hemisphere. Isla Isabela and Fernandina have the most penguins, but if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a small colony at Bartolome.

The Waved Albatross (Diamedeidae): The waved albatross is a resident of the Galapagos, and if you make it to the islands from April to December, it can be seen on Isla Santa Cruz. Absolutely graceful in the air, it can be away for months and even years at sea without touching land. Landing and taking off, however, is comical as the birds line up like they might at JFK Airport in New York City, waiting for the control tower to give them the go-ahead. The courtship of this bird is one of a kind - well worth a trip to the Galapagos in October when it generally occurs.

The Famous Finches (Fringillidae): What would the Galapagos be without Darwin's finches? Keep your eyes open because they are found everywhere and might even eat right out of your hand! There are 13 endemic species differentiated by the size and form of their beaks.

It's a fun task to try to identify them after being there a while, though not easy! Other birds to look for are the flycatchers, swallows, gulls, terns, oystercatchers, hawks, flamingos, pelicans, tropicbirds, herons and more!

For dedicated bird watchers, try The Collins Field Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos, by Michael Harris et al. or A Guide to the Birds of the Galapagos Islands, by Isabel Castro and Antonia Phillips.

Under the sea is a world rich with tropical fish, corals, sharks, eels, rays, dolphins and more.

Don't forget to bring a waterproof camera to take those special shots submerged with the great marine life of the Galapagos!

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