Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are noted as a home to many endemic species.

Fauna

One of the best known is the Galápagos tortoise, which lives on seven of the islands. It has an average lifespan of more than 150 years.

The Marine Iguana is also extremely unusual, since it is the only iguana adapted to life in the water. Land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos and other harmless snakes can also be found in the Islands. The large number and range of birds is also of interest to scientists and tourists. Around 56 varieties live in the archipelago, of which 27 are found only in the Galápagos. Some of these are found only on one island.

The most outstanding are penguins, which live on the colder coasts, Darwin's finches, frigatebirds, albatrosses, gulls, boobies, pelicans and Galápagos Hawks, among others. The Flightless Cormorant, a peculiar bird which has lost the ability to fly, is aiso part of this rich fauna. On the other hand, there are few mammal species, mostly sea mammals such as whales, dolphins and sea lions.

Flora

On the larger Galápagos Islands, four ecological zones nave been defined: coastal, low or dry, transitional and humid. In the first, species such as myrtle, mangrove and saltbush can be found. In the second grow cactus, the incensé tree, carob tree, poison apple tree, chala and yellow cordia, among others. In the transitional zone taller trees, epiphytes and perennial herbs can be seen. The best known varieties are the cat's claw, espuela de gallo. In the humid sector are the cogojo, Galápagos guava, cat's claw, Galapagos coffee, passionflower and some types of moss, ferns and fungus.

External links

* [http://www.birdingsiteguide.com Birding Site Guide] provides birders with free, where to watch birds information worldwide
* [http://www.ecuadors.org/galapagos/wildlife.htm Galapagos wildlife]
* [http://www.galapagocruise.com/wildlife/ Galapagos Islands wildlife]