Wildlife of Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos is one of the only places on Earth where wildlife shows no fear of humans. Giant tortoises, marine iguanas (the world's only ocean-going lizard), Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and Darwin's finches all evolved here in isolation.
Best timeDecember – May for warm seas and calm crossings.
- 1The Galápagos has more endemic species per island than anywhere on Earth.
- 2Marine iguanas are the only sea-swimming lizards in the world.
- 3The Galápagos giant tortoise can live over 175 years.
Signature species
Curated for Galápagos Islands, each tagged with its IUCN Red List status.
- CR
Galápagos giant tortoise
Chelonoidis niger
- VU
Marine iguana
Amblyrhynchus cristatus
- VU
Flightless cormorant
Nannopterum harrisi
- CR
Waved albatross
Phoebastria irrorata
- EN
Galápagos penguin
Spheniscus mendiculus
IUCN codes — EX extinct · EW extinct in wild · CR critically endangered · EN endangered · VU vulnerable · NT near threatened · LC least concern · DD data deficient
Dos & don'ts
Local etiquette that keeps wildlife wild.
Do
- Stay 2m from every animal — park rule.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen only.
- Keep distance — use zoom or binoculars, never bait animals closer.
- Stay on marked trails to avoid trampling nests, burrows and plants.
Don't
- Don't bring any seeds or fresh food — invasives are the park's biggest threat.
- Don't take shells, sand or lava.
- Never feed wildlife — human food changes behaviour and shortens lives.
- Don't share exact locations of nests, dens or rare species online.
Spotted here lately
Live from iNaturalist — research-grade observations within 250km, last 30 days.
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