Because of the unique environment of the Galapagos Islands, there are some rather interesting creatures that have made this area their home. In fact, the wildlife is so unique that travelers from all over the world visit the the area to see some of it’s iconic animals. You just might be surprised at the animals that you can see while in the Galapagos Islands.
Blue-footed Boobies
It’s difficult to go to the Galapagos Islands and not spot a lot of blue-footed boobies. About half of the world’s population of them are located in the Galapagos Island. These birds like to hangout along the coastline, most likely because that’s where the fish are! Travelers are often taken aback by the fact that juvenile blue-footed boobies have grey feet as their feet will not turn blue until they have reached maturity.
Galapagos Sea Lions
Sea lions are cute in general, but Galapagos sea lions take it to a whole other level. Upon arriving at the islands they are often the first animals spotted. They love to swim near the shoreline and can often be seen walking on the beach or even sleeping on the sidewalks. They aren’t shy about coming right up to tourists and wanting to play. While they tend to be loud with their barking and honking, it’s just their way of trying to communicate.
Lava Lizards
Not everyone is a fan of lizards, but a lot of visitors to the Galapagos Islands tend to fall in love with the island’s lava lizards. They can vary in appearance as there are 7 different species of them located here. Some of the most beautiful ones have a red head and are anywhere from 5-12 inches long. They do change colors if they are feeling threatened, which is a good warning to visitors to move away from them (although they are usually harmless). Lava lizards aren’t difficult to spot as they like to lounge around on rocks during the day sunning themselves.
Marine Iguanas
At first glance these iguanas can look a little scary due to their intricate coloring. They can be red, grey or black and sometimes brightly colored. Marine iguanas have claws and because they have the ability to expel salt water from their nostrils, their faces often look crusty because of all of the dried salt on it. These iguanas are interesting to watch as they are strong swimmers and can be seen diving underwater and propelling themselves around using their tails.
The Galapagos Islands are home to wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. For the complete island experience, start with our advisors’ Visiting the Galapagos Islands guide.
