Spotting Galapagos animals in the wild is a life-changing experience. This tropical archipelago, made up of a collection of 13 major islands, seven small ones, and dozens of islets, is a world of stark, volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, and for many, the biggest thrill: unique flora and fauna.
Animal lovers will be delighted to know that this extraordinary group of islands has one of the highest percentages of endemic species on the planet, meaning you’ll encounter a large number of Galapagos Islands animals that aren’t found anywhere else.
If you’re planning on heading on a trip to this eco-wonderland soon, here are some of the remarkable Galapagos animals you can see during your trip.
Galapagos Sea Lion
Galapagos sea lion
The sea lion is one of the first animals you’re likely to encounter during your Galapagos Islands vacation as there are over 20,000 of them in the island chain.
Originally from California, the Galapagos sea lions adapted to the islands’ warmer environment and evolved into a different species.
Sea lions are often spotted lounging on rocks, swimming in the ocean, or basking on the sand, tending their pups.
Frigate Birds
Frigate bird
Out of the five species of frigate birds in the world, you’ll be able to find two of them in the Galapagos: the great frigate bird and the magnificent frigate bird. They have hooked beaks and large black wings, and their bright red throat pouches make them easy to spot.
If you’re visiting the Galapagos during their mating season, you’ll get to see the male species courting female attention by inflating their chests until they resemble big, red balloons.
Frigate birds aren’t diving birds—their feathers aren’t oiled—so you won’t see them plunging into the water like some other species. Instead, they only graze the surface.
They are known for snatching food out of the mouths of other birds, which is why they are named frigate, after the type of ships usually favored by pirates.
Land Iguanas
Land iguana
A few types of land iguanas live in the Galapagos Islands. The most abundant and commonly observed land iguanas are yellowy-orange and earthy colored.
One of the rarest lizards is the pink land iguana, considered an entirely separate species. It is found uniquely on Wolf Volcano at the northern end of Isabela Island and is highly endangered. The pink iguana has vertical dark stripes on its body.
Land iguana
Land iguanas can be a few feet long, weigh as much as 30 pounds, and may live to be from 60 to 69 years old. During the day, they can be difficult to spot as they mix in well with the stones and vegetation.
Land iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, so they go through the day heating up in the sun or hanging in the shade to keep cool. Around evening time, they may stay in shallow tunnels to safeguard their warmth.
Sally Lightfoot Crabs
Sally lightfoot crab
The bright, colorful exterior of the red and orange Sally Lightfoot Crabs makes them easy to spot from afar.
Typically found on the rocky shores of the islands, these crabs play an important role in the Galapagos ecosystem. They eat much of the debris on the shore, as well as ticks found on marine iguanas. They are said to be named after a Caribbean dancer.
Green Sea Turtles
Green sea turtle
Snorkeling is one of the best things to do in the Galapagos Islands, where you are likely to spot a few green sea turtles. These docile animals are able to remain underwater for up to five hours and can swim up to 35 miles an hour.
The green sea turtle is the only sea turtle species that nests on the islands. At night, female turtles make their way to the shore and lay as many as 200 eggs before heading back to the water before the sun comes out again.
Temperature is what determines the gender of these Galapagos animals. Warmer nest temperatures create females, while cooler temperatures lead to male offspring.
Once they hatch, the baby sea turtles must dig their way out of their nest and hurry off to the ocean before being eaten by predators. If they make it to the sea, they face even more challenges and will have to avoid sharks and frigate birds to survive.
Galapagos Penguin
Galapagos penguin
Galapagos penguins are special because they are the only penguin species that is found north of the equator. These small animals are usually found in the colder areas of the Galapagos, mainly on Fernandina Island and Isabela Island, and tend to live in caves or crevices.
They primarily feed on schools of fish, preying on small species such as anchovies, sardines, and mullet. Their wings double as fins in the water, making them fast swimmers. Snorkelers should always be on the lookout, as these enchanting birds can zoom around in the water like bullets; spotting them is a real thrill.
Darwin’s Finches
Darwin’s finches
There are 13 different species of Darwin’s finches, the small land bird named after biologist Charles Darwin, found in the Galapagos. While all species of Darwin’s finches are roughly the same size and color, they mostly vary by beak size and diet.
These Galapagos birds were one of the subjects of Darwin’s evolutionary theories, since they developed different beak sizes and shapes in order to adapt to different environments and food sources.
For example, the woodpecker finch uses twigs and cacti spines to hunt for prey, while the vampire ground finch mainly feeds on the blood of seabirds, hence its name.
Waved Albatross
Waved albatross
One of the most spectacular sights in the Galapagos is the mating ritual of the waved albatross. These wide-winged birds, which are also the largest species of bird in the Galapagos, meet up with their lifetime partners on Española Island, the only breeding site in the world for the waved albatross.
The monogamous birds then begin a courting dance, where they will bow to each other, open their bills, honk, and even clack their bills.
Waved albatross
After they mate, the female lays one egg, and both the male and female birds take turns incubating their offspring until it hatches. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see baby waved albatrosses trying to fly for the first time.
You can see these beautiful birds on land between April and December.
Flamingos
Flamingo
The bright pink flamingos of the Galapagos are similar in many ways to the American flamingo, except this species is much smaller and lays tinier eggs.
The flamingo’s signature hue is a product of its diet. Flamingos mainly feed on algae, crustaceans, and plants that contain high amounts of a carotenoid pigment that affects the intensity of the birds’ pink plumage and skin.
Galapagos flamingos are monogamous and mate in shallow waters. You can typically see them standing on one leg in order to reduce their body heat and physical effort. While they are social birds that live in colonies, they are usually shy around humans.
Unlike adult flamingos, chicks are usually born with a straight beak and a gray color, and it can take up to three weeks for their curves to bend. The best places to see flamingos in the Galapagos are Punta Cormorant, Floreana, and Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.
Blue-Footed Boobies
Blue-footed booby
The blue-footed booby is one of the most popular and recognizable Galapagos animals. Their name comes from their uniquely colored feet, which play an important part in their mating process.
Males with more intense hues of blue on their feet are seen as more virile and ultimately attract more females. During their courtship, male blue-footed boobies gift a small stick or stone to their female counterparts and later show off their colorful feet to their potential match.
Blue-footed booby
These birds tend to feed near the shore by plunge-diving into the water and catching small species of fish, such as anchovies and sardines, on their way back up to the surface. They are agile in the air, diving into the water at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.
You can usually see large populations of blue-footed boobies in North Seymour Island, Española, Floreana, Isabela, Pinzón, and Santa Cruz.
Giant Tortoises
Giant tortoise
Not only is the giant tortoise the symbol of the Galapagos Islands, it’s also the inspiration behind the archipelago’s name, “galapago,” an old Spanish word that means tortoise. Dating back almost three million years, the original giant tortoise evolved into 15 different types of subspecies. Today, only 10 of those remain on the planet.
Giant tortoises can live to be more than 100 years old. The species differ in size and shape, but they’re typically four feet long and weigh over 500 pounds, making them one of the largest species of tortoise in the world.
Dome-shelled tortoises live on larger islands with humid weather, while saddle-backed tortoises tend to gather in arid environments.
Marine Iguanas
Marine iguana
As one of the endemic species of Galapagos animals, marine iguanas are the only iguanas in the world that are capable of living at sea. You will typically spot them sunbathing on top of the islands’ rocky shores, as these cold-blooded reptiles need to heat up after spending a certain amount of time in the water.
There are roughly 200,000 to 300,000 marine iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Young marine iguanas are typically black, while adult marine iguanas can be found in combinations of black, green, red, and gray.
The largest iguanas are found on Fernandina and Isabela Islands, while the most colorful ones, in a striking combination of red and green, are in Española and Floreana Islands and are nicknamed Christmas iguanas.
Marine iguanas mostly feed on algae that grows near the shore, and because they have a diet with high concentrations of salt water, you’ll often see them sneezing out salt crystals through their snout.
Flightless Cormorant
Flightless cormorant
As its name suggests, the flightless cormorant is the only species of cormorant in the world that cannot fly.
This endemic species to the Galapagos lost its ability to fly after it adapted to the islands’ ample food supply and lack of competition. As a result, today’s evolved species have mutated wings that are much smaller than the wingspan size they would need to fly.
While it can’t take to the air, the flightless cormorant is incredibly agile in the water, where it mainly feeds on eel, fish, and octopus. Their muscular legs and webbed feet allow them to dive deep down into the ocean, and their flexible necks allow them to hunt for food found between rocks and reefs.
Galapagos Hawk
Galapagos hawk
The Galapagos hawk is the only bird of prey found in the Galapagos Islands. It is a rare raptor species and endemic to the Galapagos.
These aggressive predators mainly feed on invertebrates, but will also hunt rodents, reptiles, turtle hatchlings, and small birds.
Their feathers are usually dark brown or black and are similar in size to American red-tailed hawks. As is the case with most hawks, females are larger in size than their male counterparts.
Lava Lizard
Lava lizard
If you visit the Galapagos, you are likely to see several lava lizards sunbathing on top of lava rocks—hence their name. They are the most abundant reptile species on the islands.
While there are seven species of lava lizards in the Galapagos, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between them. It’s easier to distinguish male lava lizards from female ones, as males are larger and have stripes, while the females are a bit smaller and display a red head and throat.
When male lava lizards feel threatened by other lizards, they engage in a push-up competition in order to intimidate one another. They also have the unique ability to self-amputate their own tails if they happen to get caught by a predator.
Galapagos Mockingbird
Galapagos mockingbird
A common bird on the islands, the Galapagos mockingbird was another species that played a role in the evolutionary studies of Charles Darwin. He noticed that the Galapagos mockingbirds from different islands varied in size, beak shape, and distinctive markings. This discovery led him to his theory of natural selection and how animals adapt in order to thrive within their environment.
These mockingbirds live in dry, coastal areas and eat a wide variety of foods, including finches, lava lizards, insects, centipedes, and seabird eggs. During the islands’ drier season, they have been spotted flying up to tourists and trying to sip on their bottles of water.
Galapagos Shark
Galapagos shark
The Galapagos shark is found all over the world, even though it was originally discovered in this archipelago of islands. They are similar to reef and dusky sharks, but mainly differ in their inner skeletons, as Galapagos sharks have significantly fewer vertebrae than their counterparts.
These underwater predators primarily feed on bottom-dwelling fish, octopus, and squid, but they also hunt fur seals and sea lions. Galapagos sharks like to hang out in shallow waters and have been spotted in reefs. While they are found all over the Galapagos, they tend to congregate mostly around Wolf and Darwin islands.
Red-Footed Booby
Red-footed booby
Less common than their blue-footed cousins, red-footed boobies are found mainly on Genovesa and San Cristobal islands, although you could spot them anywhere as they’re strong flyers.
The red-footed booby has red legs and feet and a blue beak. The birds you see in the Galapagos are brown with a white belly and tail. The females are bigger than the males. Juveniles have yet to develop the distinctive legs and bill and tend to be brown or gray.
Red-footed boobies dive for their food, spotting fish from the air and wrapping their wings around their bodies to create a sleek, aerodynamic profile. They feed by day and night; squid are a prized food after dark.
Red-footed booby
Unlike blue-footed boobies, which nest on the ground, the red-footed nest in trees and shrubs. The male attracts partners by throwing back his head and pointing his beak to the sky. He also constructs the nest. Peak nesting time is between January and September, when these pretty birds are easy to spot.
Nazca Booby
Nazca booby
Unlike its flashier cousins, the Nazca booby has gray feet and an orange bill. It’s an elegant bird with white plumage, black tail feathers, and a black mask over its eyes.
These birds are highly efficient at fishing, plunge-diving from more than 100 feet above the water for sardines, squid, anchovies, and flying fish. The females, which are bigger than the males, can dive deeper and will go after bigger fish.
Nazca boobies have a similar mating dance to red-footed boobies, the male pointing his beak skyward and the female joining in. They nest on cliffs, both parents using their big feet to keep the chicks warm and protected.
Nazca booby
Nazca boobies lay two eggs rather than one; when both siblings have hatched, the weaker one will usually be pushed out of the nest and left to die.
Nesting times vary from island to island, but November to February is a good time to spot Nazca boobies on Española. Otherwise, you’ll see them out at sea all year round.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Scalloped hammerhead shark
This unusual-looking shark is distinguished by the “scalloped” front of its head, shaped like a hammer. The head has evolved like this to maximize vision and to create a larger surface area for the receptor cells that allow the shark to detect the electrical signals given off by other animals. The shark’s body is brown on top and white underneath.
Hammerheads are skilled hunters, aided by their backward-facing teeth, which can seize their prey whole and simply swallow it. They will scoop up schools of fish, including herrings, sardines, and mackerel, and hunt individual rays and squid.
Divers love the Galapagos because of the vast schools of scalloped hammerheads that congregate here. January is the best time to see them, and the spike of Kicker Rock, which plunges into the ocean off San Cristobal Island, is a likely spot.
Galapagos Fur Seal
Galapagos fur seal
Galapagos fur seals are endemic to the archipelago and are classed as “endangered”. They look similar to Galapagos sea lions, but there are ways to tell them apart. For a start, they’re smaller, with wider heads and more prominent eyes and ears. Their front flippers are larger to help with climbing over rocks, and their coat is thicker.
Fur seals are nocturnal hunters, hence the big eyes. They will dive deep down in search of fish, squid, and octopus, taking care to avoid sharks, which are a threat to them.
Breeding season is between August and November. Each female produces one pup, which she nurses in between hunting forays.
You’ll see fur seals in large colonies around and in the shadow of rocks, but every female has her own space; if a pup approaches a female that’s not its own mother, it will be violently rebuffed.
Galapagos Racer Snake
Galapagos racer snake
There are several species of racer snake in the Galapagos Islands, feeding on lava lizards, geckos, mice, rats, and small birds. The snakes are usually dark brown, sometimes marked with spots or stripes. They kill their prey by constriction and are not harmful to humans as their venom is mild.
What’s unusual about these snakes is that the racer that lives on Fernandina Island has evolved to hunt for fish stranded in rockpools, which is unique behavior and perhaps another example of evolution in action in the Galapagos. They will also hunt for juvenile iguanas.
Unlike other Galapagos species, racer snakes are shy and will hide under rocks, emerging at dawn and dusk to hunt.
Galapagos Dove
Galapagos dove
Endemic to the islands, the pretty Galapagos dove is brown, with reddish-colored feathers on its head and neck, red feet, and a bright, cobalt-blue ring around its eye.
You’ll see Galapagos doves feeding on the fruits of prickly pear cacti and digging around the plant for seeds. In the mating season, they also feed on caterpillars.
In the past, these mellow, inquisitive little doves were easy prey for visiting explorers who needed to stock their ships with food for their voyages. The birds were captured along with tortoises and kept in the holds of ships.
Nowadays, feral cats are their main threat. Despite this, the dove population is considered stable.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose dolphin
Dolphins are not endemic to the Galapagos, but it’s always a joy to spot them. Bottlenose dolphins are one of the most likely species you’ll see in the water around the islands, often in large pods. They seem to enjoy racing alongside boats, riding the bow wave, and performing showy leaps and flips out of the water.
You can distinguish bottlenose dolphins from spinner and common dolphins, also present in the Galapagos, by their short beak and a sickle-shaped dorsal fin. They’re present here all year round.
Read: Why Are the Galapagos Islands Important?
Pacific Seahorse
Pacific seahorse
It’s hard to imagine that a seahorse is a fish, but technically it is, although it has skin rather than scales, can move both eyes independently, and uses its tail for anchoring rather than swimming.
The type of seahorse you could see in the Galapagos is the Pacific seahorse, the largest of all known species of seahorses, growing to an impressive 14 inches long.
Pacific seahorse
These creatures can be gray to brown, gold, or yellow and are usually seen anchoring themselves by the tail to the seagrass beds where they feed. This is done by sucking in minuscule crustaceans and plankton via their tube-shaped mouth.
What’s even more unusual about seahorses is that the males, which have a “brood pouch”, give birth to live young.
Seahorses are listed as “vulnerable” and are under threat from being captured for aquaria and souvenirs, so it’s a real honor to spot one in the wild.
Short-Eared Owl
Short-eared owl
The Galapagos short-eared owl is another bird that’s endemic to the islands. While short-eared owls are found all over the world, this bird has evolved to be darker in color than its cousins, with the darker color providing camouflage against the lava fields, and smaller. Interestingly, it’s also developed a different behavior from mainland owls in that it hunts by day.
You could see short-eared owls in open areas of grass or rock, flying low in search of prey. They’ll catch and eat rats, lava lizards, and other birds, including birds bigger than themselves, such as boobies.
Conservationists have also observed owls on Genovesa Island stalking storm petrels, which nest in lava tunnels, grabbing the birds with their razor-sharp claws as they emerge from their nests.
Humpback Whale
Humpback whale
Humpback whales, which can grow to a massive 60 feet long, are seasonal visitors to the Galapagos, migrating from the cold waters of Antarctica to the tropics to feed, mate, and give birth. You’re most likely to spot them between June and September before they head south again.
Identifying humpbacks is relatively easy, as they spend a lot of time near the surface. Look for a knobbly head, pectoral fins that can be as long as one third of their total body size, up to around 16 feet, and a black or gray tail fluke, often with white markings. Each whale has an individual fluke, like a fingerprint.
Humpbacks will breach right out of the water, as well as “spy hop”, when the whale pokes its head out of the water vertically, to have a look around.
Read: How to Spot Marine Mammals From a Cruise Ship
Galapagos Animals FAQs
Why are Galapagos animals unique?
Land iguana
Galapagos animals are unique because they have evolved in isolation, adapting over time to thrive in this environment 600 miles from the mainland, with no outside influences. This is why you’ll see creatures like finches, mockingbirds, and iguanas that you won’t find elsewhere.
What animals are the Galapagos Islands known for?
Galapagos sea lion
The Galapagos Islands are known for multiple species. The craggy land and marine iguanas that you’ll see everywhere, the harems of Galapagos sea lions with their big-eyed pups, the pink flamingos, and the jaunty Galapagos penguins are all local icons.
Are Galapagos animals afraid of humans?
Galapagos sea lions
Because there is abundant food and no predators, animals in the Galapagos have no fear of humans. They won’t move as you approach them, although there are strict rules about how close you can get. In places like Puerto Ayora, you’ll see sea lions lying on benches on the jetty, or hanging out at the fish market with the pelicans. Mockingbirds will land on your shoulder, and iguanas will shuffle across your path.
Can I swim with sea lions in the Galapagos?
Galapagos sea lion
You can swim where there are sea lions in the Galapagos, but there is no such organized activity; all the animals are wild. If you’re at a snorkel spot where sea lions are present, there’s a good chance that they will slide into the water with you and zoom around you, checking you out.
Are there sharks in the Galapagos Islands?
Scalloped hammerhead shark
Yes, there are some 30 species of sharks in the Galapagos Islands, from massive yet harmless whale sharks to hammerheads. The most likely shark you’ll see is the white-tipped reef shark, cruising over the corals beneath you as you snorkel. Sharks in the Galapagos are not considered a threat to divers and snorkelers but should be treated with respect.
What is the main predator on the Galapagos Islands?
Galapagos hawk
The apex predator in the Galapagos is the Galapagos hawk. It’s at the top of the food chain and has no predators of its own. The main threat to the ecosystem, however, is manmade, and comes from overfishing and illegal fishing, which depletes and disrupts the food chain.
What is one unique animal found only on the Galapagos Islands?
Marine iguana
The marine iguana is one of the most unusual animals found only in the Galapagos. It’s evolved to swim underwater, feed on seaweed, and hydrates by drinking salt water, blowing the excess salt out through its nostrils. Although they’re generally dark in color, the males turn bright shades of green and red during the mating season.
What birds are unique to the Galapagos?
Flightless cormorant
There are more than 20 species of bird that are endemic to the Galapagos. These include several types of finch and several types of mockingbird, depending on which island you’re visiting. Three more you’re likely to spot include the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, and lava heron.
How can I see Galapagos animals responsibly?
Giant tortoise
You can see Galapagos animals responsibly by following the rules of the Galapagos National Park. Only explore with a licensed guide and a licensed operator approved by the park authority. Stay on the marked trails and stay six feet from any animal. Don’t feed animals or birds, and don’t touch them.
Don’t bring in banned items that could disrupt the ecosystem—things like fruit with seeds, for example. Don’t take substances like coral, shells, or rock. Dispose of plastic once you’re back on the mainland. Don’t smoke while out in nature—and leave your drone at home, as they’re banned here.
Watch: Galapagos Islands Cruises Aboard Celebrity Flora
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