Galapagos Animals and Charles Darwin

Without the interesting and fearless creatures of the Galapagos Islands, travel to the archipelago would not be as unforgettable as it is. Having never been connected with the South American continent, it is a mystery how the sub-species animals that now live on the islands – that are completely different versions of their continental cousins – made the journey to the Galapagos. Yet they did, and for years they adapted themselves to their new surroundings, evolving and becoming species unique only to the Galapagos Archipelago.

English naturalist Charles Darwin used his observations of this speciation to formulate his theory of evolution and natural selection. During his visit in the mid-1800s, Darwin was amazed not only by how Galapagos creatures were so different from their mainland counterparts, but also by the fact that even between the islands, Galapagos species of similar characteristics still managed to adapt uniquely and perfectly to their own environment. The finch was one particular animal that caught Darwin’s eye, and it is now known commonly as the Darwin Finch. Darwin took note of the varying diets of this bird that included everything from seeds to fruits to cacti and blood. These finches would prove vital when writing his theory of evolution in The Origin of Species as he based some of his thought in assuming that the birds shared a common ancestry.  Darwin supposed that once these interesting animals found their ways to the islands, they marked out territories for themselves and evolution set in. The Darwin finch is one example of this process in which the surviving species was the strongest one.

The Galapagos Islands weren’t discovered until 1535. As a result, the magnificent animals that roam its lands have no natural fear of man. This provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors to the isles who can view Galapagos creatures in an intimate setting, getting close up without trepidation that the fascinating critters will scamper off.

Here is a list of the wonderful wildlife a traveler can expect to see on their Galapagos vacation. 

Galapagos giant tortoise – these wonderful tortoises, which are known as Galápago in Spanish and gave the name to the islands, can be found on six or seven of the islands but exist in larger numbers on Isabela.
Galapagos land iguana - described by Charles Darwin as “ugly animals, of a yellowish orange beneath,” these mostly herbivorous creatures can be found on the islands of Fernandina, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Seymour, and Plaza.
Marine Iguana – this seaweed-eating critter is the only seagoing iguana in the world and can be spotted throughout most of the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Green Turtle - a subspecies of the Green Turtle, this endangered animal is the only green turtle to lay its eggs on the beaches of the Galapagos.
Flightless Cormorant – this bird species calls Isabela and Fernandina home and with only 1,500 of them left, it is one of the world’s rarest birds.
Great Frigatebird – this large seabird displays an interesting mating ritual, in which the male is able to swell its bright red gular (throat) sac during the process.
Blue-footed Booby – another unique marine bird, it is very popular with visitors for their large blue feet and entertaining dance, both of which are visible during the mating season.
Waved Albatross – the only living tropical albatross, it makes its nests in Española and then returns to the Ecuadorian and Peruvian coasts in December.
Galapagos Penguin – this fowl is the only penguin able to live on the tropical equator; it survives thanks to the cool temperatures brought in from the Humboldt Current and is primarily founds on Fernandina and the west coast of Isabela.
Galapagos Hawk – fearless of humans, this hawk is the island’s original and sole predator, residing in the Galapagos for over 300,000 years.
Galapagos Finch – also widely known as the Darwin finch for its influence in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the bird has 13 separate species residing all over the archipelago.
Galapagos Sea Lion – this friendly critter is related to the California Sea Lion, but smaller, and is a favorite of tourists.