Wildlife & Animals of the Galapagos Islands
A group of volcanic Islands in the Pacific Ocean lying close to the Equatorial line is known as Galapagos Islands. The nearest mainland is Ecuador which is about 600 miles east of the Islands. These Islands are sparsely populated and the total population of all the 19 odd Islands put together is pegged at about 30,000. Galapagos Islands is a province under Ecuador in the northwest South America. The most common language is Spanish. Apart from the 19 Islands (13 main islands and 6 smaller ones), Galapagos also has 107 islets and rocks (mini islands). The name Galapagos is derived fro ‘Island of the Tortoises’. The Galapagos Islands are credited to have provided the inspiration to Charles Darwin who founded the theory of evolution.
The Galapagos Islands have earned themselves the distinction as a living laboratory and the Galapagos Animals as well as birds hold no fear for man. The Galapagos Wildlife, giant reptiles and flightless birds along with Galapagos plants make them unique. Such a combination cannot be found anywhere else on this earth. The contribution from these creatures to the earth’s ecosystem too is tremendous. For bird watchers, Galapagos is a paradise. The flightless birds are fearless about human beings. The giant tortoises are the Icon of the Islands carried as souvenirs and on stamps. The Logo of the National park too is the Giant Tortoise. Let us take a closer look at some of these unique Galapagos Animals.
This is the most famous animal of these Islands and the one from whom the Islands have derived their name. This huge animal weighs up to 300 pounds and the life expectancy is put at between 100 and 200 years. The sub species number about 14 and you should see to believe how lovable these gentle animals are.
The Waved Albatross is a powerful and yet graceful bird among the Galapagos Animals. They are capable of staying away at sea for several months or at times, even years absolutely devoid of any contact with land. April to December are the best months to view these beautiful Galapagos animals. They generally feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans.
Galapagos Islands are the only place where you can see penguins in warm waters all through the year. These Penguins among the Galapagos animals are also the only northerly penguins anywhere in the world. The rest of the Penguins on earth are found on the southern hemisphere.
These lizards are found only in the Galapagos Islands. They have black skin and among lizards, these are the only ones in the world living near the water. During mating, the black skin turns red as though to attract the mate. These small creatures can be found literally anywhere on the Island.
The Cormorant is another animal among the Galapagos wildlife. This is also the flightless Cormorant in the world. Several years of life of the Island has made this animal adept in swimming and in the process lost its flying ability. This species can be found on the Island of Isabela all through the year.
The Marine Turtle is the only species of its kind that has made Galapagos Island its home. They are incredibly skillful and fast swimmers and the eggs are laid between December and June. Interested tourists have the liberty to mark and count the eggs and nests of these turtles during the period December to June and enjoy the hands-on experience. Meddling with any of the Galapagos plants or Galapagos wildlife is otherwise strictly prohibited. In fact, there are specific rules which every visitor should understand and follow both in letter and spirit before embarking on a tour of the Islands. The guides will help you, but violations are sternly dealt with.
Equally enchanting is the Galapagos plant life though the publicity and attention it has received is of a lesser degree. Some of the vegetation is facing threats and funds are currently being raised for botany campaigns in order to safeguard the endangered species and also keep in check many of the invasive plants which humans have introduced into the Islands.
Galapagos Animals
The Galapagos Islands have earned themselves the distinction as a living laboratory and the Galapagos Animals as well as birds hold no fear for man. The Galapagos Wildlife, giant reptiles and flightless birds along with Galapagos plants make them unique. Such a combination cannot be found anywhere else on this earth. The contribution from these creatures to the earth’s ecosystem too is tremendous. For bird watchers, Galapagos is a paradise. The flightless birds are fearless about human beings. The giant tortoises are the Icon of the Islands carried as souvenirs and on stamps. The Logo of the National park too is the Giant Tortoise. Let us take a closer look at some of these unique Galapagos Animals.
The Galapagos Tortoise
This is the most famous animal of these Islands and the one from whom the Islands have derived their name. This huge animal weighs up to 300 pounds and the life expectancy is put at between 100 and 200 years. The sub species number about 14 and you should see to believe how lovable these gentle animals are.
The Waved Albatross
The Waved Albatross is a powerful and yet graceful bird among the Galapagos Animals. They are capable of staying away at sea for several months or at times, even years absolutely devoid of any contact with land. April to December are the best months to view these beautiful Galapagos animals. They generally feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans.
Penguins
Galapagos Islands are the only place where you can see penguins in warm waters all through the year. These Penguins among the Galapagos animals are also the only northerly penguins anywhere in the world. The rest of the Penguins on earth are found on the southern hemisphere.
The Marine Iguanas
These lizards are found only in the Galapagos Islands. They have black skin and among lizards, these are the only ones in the world living near the water. During mating, the black skin turns red as though to attract the mate. These small creatures can be found literally anywhere on the Island.
The Cormorant
The Cormorant is another animal among the Galapagos wildlife. This is also the flightless Cormorant in the world. Several years of life of the Island has made this animal adept in swimming and in the process lost its flying ability. This species can be found on the Island of Isabela all through the year.
The Marine Turtle
The Marine Turtle is the only species of its kind that has made Galapagos Island its home. They are incredibly skillful and fast swimmers and the eggs are laid between December and June. Interested tourists have the liberty to mark and count the eggs and nests of these turtles during the period December to June and enjoy the hands-on experience. Meddling with any of the Galapagos plants or Galapagos wildlife is otherwise strictly prohibited. In fact, there are specific rules which every visitor should understand and follow both in letter and spirit before embarking on a tour of the Islands. The guides will help you, but violations are sternly dealt with.
Plant Life
Equally enchanting is the Galapagos plant life though the publicity and attention it has received is of a lesser degree. Some of the vegetation is facing threats and funds are currently being raised for botany campaigns in order to safeguard the endangered species and also keep in check many of the invasive plants which humans have introduced into the Islands.
Permalink
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe Buttons
